We went along to the open session on 24th January to see what is happening on the numerous schemes in Kirkstall. Here’s what we heard.

The Tesco scheme was submitted to back in December and the planning panel have raised  a number of concerns with the proposals. Not surprisingly these are principally the traffic issues and the height and scale of the development and its impact on the surroundings, echoing the concerns of local residents. The proposal for the Post Office members club on the main crossroads also came in for some criticism, with the design being called “uninspiring”.

Tesco is reviewing the feedback and is expected to resubmit their proposals in the coming months. It is clear that most local residents want the site to be developed as it has been an area neglected over a number of years, but that any development must be sympathetic to the local area. It sounds like this issue will be ongoing for much of 2012, and the improvements that it may bring for the local area and residents must be balanced against the impacts it will have.

The Plans Panel position statement can be found here https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/files/9EDC1C8BE35BBDE4633C61C856356332/pdf/11_04253_FU-WEST_PANEL_8_12_2011-522605.pdf and you can find all the details about the development on the council website via https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/ by searching on reference number  11/04253

You can offer feedback (either in support or objection) directly via email (please quote the reference number 11/04253) to planning@leeds.gov.uk