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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
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Nathan Hyde

Why thousands are fuming over 'last straw' plans for 300 new Leeds homes

Furious campaigners say a project to build 299 homes around Haigh Woods is "the last straw" and it will bring "absolutely no benefit to this community".

Plans to build hundreds of houses and apartments on land surrounding the woods in West Ardsley are expected to be approved by Leeds City Council's city plans panel at a meeting on January 30, even though more than 3,400 people have objected.

The council says the agricultural land, which has been earmarked for the development, is suitable for housing and council planning officers have recommended the plans for approval, despite admitting it will "result in the loss of some green infrastructure".

However, speaking on behalf of West Ardsley Action Group, chairman Peter Cowling said overdevelopment has "greatly reduced the quality of life" for people living in West Ardsley in recent years and local infrastructure will struggle to cope with hundreds of extra homes.

He said: "Lack of the necessary investment in infrastructure and local services have resulted in oversubscription to local schools and health centres and inadequate public transport.

"Further house building on any scale is not sustainable.

"Now we are staring down the barrel at another car-reliant housing development. It's on the cusp of being approved in the area, where our children run in the twice-daily gauntlet of polluting exhaust fumes.

"This application for 299 executive homes is the last straw. It brings absolutely no benefit to this community.

"West Ardsley Action Group have led the campaign to prevent this major housing development, which would destroy a treasured amenity in the very heart of our village."

He added: "We will urge the plans plan councillors to consider the very valid reasons we have put forward, the voice of our community, and refuse this unnecessary and unwanted planning application."

According to a council report, many of the objectors have raised similar concerns, claiming roads, schools, doctors surgeries and other facilities in the local area are "barely coping" with current demand.

However, the plans have still been recommended for approval by council planning officers.

A report prepared by the officers 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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