Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development informing of the “Preferred Options” for the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan and seeking approval of the Preferred Options for public consultation under Regulation 26 of the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

Members considered a report by the Director of City Development which updated on the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan and sought approval of the Preferred Options for public consultation under Regulation 26 of the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

A schedule of proposed exhibitions and events for the Public Consultation was tabled for information, together with a summary of information relating to the Public Consultation.

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

-  That the Preferred Options for the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan would be considered by the Executive Board at it’s meeting of 23^rd January 2008.

-  That initial consultation had been undertaken in Autumn 2006. The information received from this had resulted in the adoption of a Medium change approach for the Preferred Options.

-  The Preferred Option has concentrated on 7 topic areas:

o  Design / Environment / Biodiversity and Sustainability

o  Greenspace and Green Links and West Leeds Country Park

o  Outdoor Advertising

o  Designing out Crime, Signage and Identity

o  Transport and Movement

o  Health

o  Employment and Training

-  Seven Geographical Areas have been identified for regeneration:

o  Central Armley

o  Armley Mills

o  Canal Road and Ledgard Way

o  Canalside

o  New Wortley and the Gyratory

o  Oldfield Lane Centre

o  Tong Road / Wellington Road corridor

Members discussed the following issues in relation to the item:

-  The particular locations that had been identified for demolitions to take place, and the importance of considering the needs of the communities affected in planning the demolitions process.

-  The costs involved in the regeneration process and how they will be met.

-  The current housing type and tenure of the areas identified for regeneration, and the projected housing types and tenure of the areas following their regeneration.

-  The methods of consultation that were planned, and the importance of ensuring that consultation reflected the changes that could be achieved.

-  The opportunity to improve walking facilities in the identified areas as part of the regeneration process.

RESOLVED -  That the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan Preferred Options for publication together with its Sustainability Appraisal Summary Report and other supporting documents be approved and that representation between 26^th February and 8^th April 2008 be formally invited.

(Councillor Blackburn declared a personal interest in this matter as Vice Chair of West Leeds Country Park, Councillor Leadley declared a personal interest in this matter as a member of METRO and Councillor Anderson declared a personal interest in this matter as Chair of the Friends of Leeds City Museums).