February 20, 2008
England

Wind company wants to build homes on river

Plans have been unveiled for a major housing development on the outskirts of Leeds.

Property firm Banks Developments is looking to create what it describes as a “new residential community” on an 18-acre riverside site near the village of Methley.

The company has yet to decide exactly how many homes it wants to build on the site – but has said they would be predominantly designed for families.

It has also said they would include a “significant proportion of affordable housing”.

Details of the project have emerged as Banks faces continuing opposition to its proposals for wind farm schemes near Garforth and Pontefract.

But the firm is hopeful it will be able to head off any similar protests from people in and around Methley by getting them involved in fine-tuning work on its housing plans.

Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at Durham-based Banks, said: “There is a significant shortage of family homes in this area, along with a growing population that requires them.

“We believe this location offers an ideal site to accommodate the demand for new homes.”

Grown

The plans were today greeted with dismay, though, by Coun Keith Wakefield, one of the three members representing the Kippax and Methley ward.

Coun Wakefield, who is also leader of Leeds City Council’s opposition Labour group, said: “I am deeply unhappy about these proposals. In my view, Methley has already grown too fast and too much over the last 10 years or so.”

The site earmarked for the development is at Station Road and is bounded by a railway line, the River Aire and existing housing.

Banks has an option on the land, which is privately-owned and currently used for farming.

The proposals are due to be on show in a public exhibition at Methley Cricket Club on Wednesday, March 19.

Banks says the feedback it receives will “impact directly” on the outline planning application which is eventually submitted for the scheme.

For further information on the Station Road project, e-mail craig.dunn@banksdevelopments.com or ring 01740 658500.

Banks had plans to build 35 homes at Hunts Farm, off Main Street in Methley, rejected by Leeds City Council in October last year.

By Paul Robinson

Yorkshire Evening Post

20 February 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/02/20/wind-company-wants-to-build-homes-on-river/