Plans to expand a Leeds Catholic school were approved in principle by councillors yesterday - despite concerns that the extension was unattractive and that road safety needed to be addressed.
Corpus Christi Catholic College in Osmandthorpe applied for four-storey extensions to the front and rear. There will be a new school entrance to the front and a new sports hall and special educational needs area to the rear.
Cross Gates and Whinmoor Labour councillor Peter Gruen said:
"They could not have made it more unattractive if they had tried, It is really very poor. I am particularly worred it is going to be very large and unsightly."
Labour Temple Newsam councillor Mick Lyons voiced concerns about pupils' safety on nearby roads. He said:
"It's important that road safety issues area addressed to stop the road accidents which happen on a regular basis. We need to stop people parking on the pavement.
"There are up to 1,000 pupils using the college - there also needs to be improvements to the approach road to get cars in and out of the school premisis safely. I have been trying for years to get this."
A planning officer confirmed that the issues would be looked at as part of the planning conditions.
Gipton and Harehills Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Taylor added that in principle, he was very happy with the plans.
The meeting voted to approve the plans in principle and defer and delegate the final decision to the chief planning officer subject to a number of conditions and to allow continued discussion over off-site drainage works.
Scarcroft wind turbine gets nod
Plans for an 18m high wind turbine at Beechgrove Farm, Scarcroft, were approved, despite objections from nine local residents and the parish council.
The 11kw turbine, which is based in the green belt, will provide power to the farm, with surplus energy going to the national grid.
Headingley Liberal Democrat councillor Jamie Matthews was happy to support the apllication. He said:
"This is exactly the sort of renewable energy that we want to encourage. That extra energy goes back into the grid is a real credit and the environmental benefits we get are noticable."
Adel and Wharfedale Conservative Clive Fox said the application would be difficult to turn down, despite it being in the green belt, because of government planning policy.
And Morley Borough Independent councillor Robert Finnigan added that it was important to accept issues with global warming and adapt accordingly.
Tingley flats approved
Morley councillor Robert Finnigan spoke out against plans for a single storey extension, splitting existing first floor flat into two one bedroom flats and a new shopfront to ground floor shop in Syke Road, Tingley. He said:
"I have significant concerns. We do not need any more one-bedroom flats - they are coming out of our ears. We are in a siruation where we can pretty much give away one bedroom flats in Morley town centre. This is a three-bedroom flat and should stay as it is."
Councillors voted to approve the plan, subject to a number of conditions.
Wetherby town centre proposals green-lighted
A plan to transform the George and Dragon pub in Wetherby into three flats and a detached block of one-bedroom flats were approved. The pub development, which is viewable from Wetherby Bridge, was backed by a 205-name petition, but a neighbouring businessman spoke of concerns that the new block would overshadow existing offices. There was also concerns about parking.
Meeting chairman David Congreve said he was impressed by the development and did not think that parking would be an issue.
And a plan to demolish part of an existing shop to form a new shopfront, rear extension and two two-bedroom flats on Hgh Street, Wetherby, was also given the nod.
Buslingthope Tannery proposals discussed
Members also gave a positon statement over plans to preserve and transform a former tannery building to form 190 apartments and a surrounding development of nine townhouses and 150 apartments with shop and car parking.
Councillors had previously voiced concerns about the Buslingthorpe Tannery proposal in Sheepscar. They had said that the proposals had been over-intensive and too high.
The latest revised - and scaled back - plans were largely welcomed as enouraging by councillors, although some concerns still existed over inadequate car parking and the townhouses being overlooked.
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