Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Development updating Members on progress of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan Preferred Options, informing of a proposed period of consultation for 31^st August – 12^th October 2007 and seeking recommendation to Executive Board for their approval.

Members considered a report by the Director of City Development which updated Members on the progress of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan Preferred Options, and proposed that a consultation period be held between 31^st August 2007 and 12^th October 2007. The report sought the Panel’s recommendation of the proposals to the Executive Board.

Officers provided the Panel with an overview of the process of the preparation of Development Plan Documents such as the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan (AVLAAP), and informed Members that the AVLAAP is currently at the Preferred Options stage, with submission to the Secretary of State planned for Spring 2008.

Officers tabled a document containing amendments to the Preferred Option Report in Appendix 1 circulated to Members on 1^st June 2007.

Officers presented the report and plans to the Panel. The presentation included the following information:

à  The role of the AVLAAP includes the provision of a co-ordinated approach to the sustainable regeneration of the Aire Valley Regeneration Area, including it’s spatial planning within the context of the City- Region, compatible with the significance of the area in terms of it’s potential to contribute to the growth and success of the regional economy.

à  29,000 jobs will be created in the regeneration of the Aire Valley by delivery of the development proposed in the Preferred Options.

à  The Aire Valley area covers an area of approximately 1000 hectares, with approximately 440 hectares of this land with potential for development.

à  The Leeds Employment Land Review was completed in June 2006. It concluded that the current supply of offices with planning permission is sufficient to meet predicted requirements until 2023.

à  The Knostrop Waste Water Treatment Works and the power station at Skelton Grange are both potential barriers to achieving regeneration of the full 1000 hectares of the area as both sites require significant work to facilitate this.

à  Housing:  There is already planning permission in place for some residential development in the Aire Valley area, including for 699 apartments in Hunslet Mills. It is envisaged that the Aire Valley area will have a population of 10,000 people residing in 3,000 units.

à  Transport: Key elements of the transport strategy for the Aire Valley are the East Leeds Link Road which will link the M1 with the Inner Ring Road from 2008, and the need to facilitate travel between the Aire Valley and EASEL areas. Possible future bus routes were displayed to the Panel.

à  Officers highlighted the importance of the green areas of the Aire Valley including Temple Newsam House and Park, Rothwell Country Park, and also wetlands in the area which will be managed by the RSPB.

Members discussed the following issues in relation to the item:

à  The development for residential use of areas identified as high risk flood zones.

à  The importance of ensuring the provision of good public transport for the Aire Valley area as an alternative to using the car and to ensure accessibility of employment opportunities. The possibility of a new train line station on the Castleford line was discussed.

à  The need for the provision of social housing in the Aire Valley area.

à  The high quality of some facilities already present in the area, such as Thwaite Mills.

à  The need to ensure consultation reaches all those affected by the regeneration of the Aire Valley, including those in areas adjacent to it such as Beeston Hill and Holbeck, and the importance of informing Ward Councillors of planned consultation in their ward so they can assist in facilitating engagement with the local communities.

à  The need for officers to provide a briefing to Members following the consultation period to update on progress.

RESOLVED- That the Executive Board be recommended to approve the Aire Valley Area Action Plan Preferred Options for publication along with it’s Sustainability Appraisal and other supporting documents, and to formally invite representations between 31^st August and 12^th October 2007.