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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Nathan Hyde

Green light expected for 299 new homes around Haigh Woods despite 3,400 objections

Plans to build almost 300 homes by Haigh Woods are expected to be approved later this month, even though more than 3,400 people have objected.

West Ardsley Development Consortium wants planning permission to build houses and apartments on land surrounding the woods in West Ardsley and Leeds City Council's city plans panel is due to make a decision on the application on January 30.

In a report, council planning officers have recommended the plans for approval, despite admitting it will "result in the loss of some green infrastructure" and 3,424 people have made objections.

The site has been deemed as suitable for housing in the council's Site Allocation Plan.

However, objectors say the site is not suitable for a large development due to the lack of infrastructure, claiming roads, schools, doctors surgeries and other facilities in the local area are "barely coping" with current demand.

They are also concerned about the loss of greenspace and the impact on wildlife in the area.

Campaign group Help Save Haigh Woods and Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood, are fighting against the plans.

She said: "The beautiful Haigh Woods site has been part of a campaign for the past two years, which I've been part of, which is to stop overdevelopment in this area.

"It's beautiful spaces like this that really matter to future generations. As a mum to a toddler myself, we really do need to protect these beautiful spaces.

"Please join us in this campaign to Help Save Haigh Woods."

The developers are looking to build the homes on four plots of land, which is currently used for agriculture and covers 16.44 hectares.

They want to build 28 homes on the northern site, just off Westerton Road, 32 homes on the eastern site, off Sandringham Drive, 182 homes on the southern site, off Hill Top Lane, and 57 homes on the western site, off Upper Green Avenue.

Environmental impact assessments, commissioned by the developers, have recommended the removal of 13 trees, hedges and areas of vegetation, to make way for the new homes.

They also found habitats of various animals, including bats, badgers and hedgehogs, but concluded the land has "not been found to support any protected or otherwise notable species" and there is an opportunity to "significantly enhance" some of the existing habitats.

The council planning officers' report states: "Although the development will result in the loss of some green infrastructure, the ecological assessment that has been carried out does indicate the opportunities that exist to improve the rural setting and enhance the biodiversity of the wider area.

"It is considered that the principle of developing the site for residential purposes is acceptable in terms of all local and national planning policies subject to the imposition of conditions."

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