Hough Top local authority housing plans have been delayed for a second time

Plans for a new major local authority housing development on the site of the former Hough Side School in Swinnow have been shelved by concerned councilors this afternoon.

Members of the south and west planning committee met at Leeds Civic Hall today to discuss the development of 82 new local authority homes at Hough Top – after previously asking council designers to come back with revised plans following a series of concerns about design, massing and access.

But councilors voted overwhelmingly to adjourn the application, to question planning, trees and landscaping officers about the proposed development.

Councilman Dan Cohen said: “No one will argue against the need for affordable housing. Everyone said that. There are still significant questions left over from the last time the plans came before this panel in March that still need to be addressed. The design is way below what we should be offering – they are terrible in my opinion.”

He said community concerns were not being heard and the process lacked “meaningful” engagement.

Councilor Penny Stables agreed and raised questions about why solar panels were not introduced into the development. “We must postpone this to look into the treatment of the western border t.”

Council officers said there was not enough space to meet modern standards to allow road access to the site from Harley Drive, as requested by residents.

Local Ian Feber told the meeting: “Last time, we were upset because the applicant ignored everything we said. This time, it’s your turn as Panel members to be angry.

“Why has your seat design request, Councilor Wray, that ‘the transition stone should be included within the site’ been totally ignored? Why was his recommendation – echoed by councilors Manaka and Rontree – that the flats were “too big and blocked, should be reduced or moved, not just altered” not followed?

“Why has the previous President’s request that ‘options preserving access to Harley Drive be fully explored and brought to the Panel’ been forgotten?” Along with an instruction to hold a public consultation event before it returns?

“Residents really want affordable housing here. But this is still the same layout and wrong design for this site. There are a lot of outstanding issues – so over 100 objections to a road with only 51 houses on it. Why were you not allowed to visit the site? You will see how this leads to unnecessary losses in safety, accessibility, biodiversity and amenities. It’s poor design and poor value for money.”

Changes incorporated in the revised plans include more windows to corner properties, an increase in windows to flats, improvements to house boundary lines, an increase in tree planting, removal of the path to the south-east public open space and surface improvements hard. treatment.

But there has been no change to the treatment of the western boundary apart from the provision of ball nets, proposed vehicle access points or cycle access – all of which were lifted in March.

Council planning officers recommended councilors approve the scheme, subject to 34 planning conditions, including a landscaping scheme and maintenance details, a highways condition study and the retention of driveways for parking.

The report said there is growing demand for one, two and three bedroom social housing properties in the Pudsey borough.

Board agenda and documents can be read here.