Hough Top housing returns to Leeds panel
Affordable homes are planned for the former school site in Pudsey, advanced by the council. with West Yorkshire Combined Authority brownfield funding support.
In all, 55 houses and 27 apartments are proposed in a scheme designed by Watson Batty, with nineteen47 advising on planning.
The £22m project, which would see 82 homes built on the former high school plot at Hough Side, Swinnow, went before Leeds City Council’s south and west plans panel in March for a position statement, guiding the application.
The project then went before the panel for determination in June. Although the principle of development was established and the affordable homes welcomed, members asked to defer a decision, while clarification was sought on design and materials, along with questions over landscaping and the impact on trees.
Following discussions, further information has now been provided for members. The case has been made for the use of clay bricks made within 25 miles of the site, while increased planting has been introduced, with the Biodiversity Net Gain assessment adjusted accordingly.
The original plans attracted 12 objections, while two councillors have also raised concerns. A handful of further comments have followed since the first hearing.
The Hough Top scheme is gas-free, with various sustainable features. Of the estimated overall £22.4m cost, WYCA’s brownfield housing fund will provide up to £1.6m.
Again, approval is recommended for the site, which is allocated for housing. The plans will be considered on 1 August, and can be viewed on LCC’s planning portal with the reference 23/06663/FU.