Decision details

To approve the outcome of feasibility work and actions for the Council in taking forward further design and planning for the East Leeds Orbital Road.

Further to Minute No. 152, 9th January 2013, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing details of work undertaken on the Council’s behalf to set out an approach towards the design and delivery of a new East Leeds Orbital Road as part of a wider transport strategy to support the development of land for new housing in the East Leeds Extension. In addition, the report also set out the proposed next steps for Executive Board to consider how the Council could take forward further design and specification of the road and play a further role in the co-ordinated provision of infrastructure and development across the area.

As part of the introduction to the submitted report, the Executive Member for Development and the Economy made reference to correspondence which had been received prior to the meeting in respect of this matter.

Members highlighted the significant need for infrastructure provision in this area, and in response to Members’ comments and concerns, officers provided further details on the projected cost of the scheme, together with its associated timescales.

The Board received further detail on the various funding streams which were being pursued in respect of the development and considered what further actions could be taken to maximise such funding, such as via the lobbying of Government or contributions by landowners.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work to establish an East Leeds Transport Strategy embracing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars, which is being led by the Chief Officer Highways & Transportation (as set out within paragraphs 3.7 - 3.11 of the submitted report), be noted and supported.

(b)  That the outcome of the East Leeds Orbital Road feasibility study, as set out within the submitted report and at appendices 2 – 6, be noted.

(c)  That approval be given for the Chief Asset Management & Regeneration Officer to undertake communications and consultation on the indicative alignment of the East Leeds Orbital Road with land owners, local residents and stakeholders by the end of 2013 (as set out within paragraph 4.1.7 of the submitted report).

(d)  That the submission by the Chief Officer Highways & Transportation, on behalf of the Council, of a mandate for £1,310,000 of project development resources through the West Yorkshire Transport Fund be noted and supported, which would move the scheme from feasibility through validation and scoping stages, incorporating consideration of a practical and deliverable phasing for construction that meets strategic highways objectives and supports the viable delivery of residential development, with a view to being in a position to submit a planning application (as set out within paragraph 3.78 of the submitted report).

(e)  That approval be given for an injection by the Chief Officer Highways & Transportation of £1,310,000 into the Capital Programme and that authority to spend £1,160,000 on the further feasibility, validation and scoping work, as set out within paragraph 3.77 of the submitted report be approved, subject to approval by METRO of the mandate for West Yorkshire Transport Funding, with further reports being submitted to Executive Board on this work.

(f)  That in parallel with resolution (d) above, it be requested that the Chief Planning Officer continues work to establish funding for ELOR, including the exploration of a suitable means of establishing appropriate contributions from developers (as set out within paragraph 3.65 of the submitted report).

The feasibility work has been drawn up in consultation with the East Leeds Regeneration Board and relevant Executive Members. 

Executive Member for Development & Economy

Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning & Support Services

East Leeds Regeneration Board