Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the progress which has been made and the further technical work undertaken in preparation for the submission of the Area Action Plans for independent examination.

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the overall progress made in relation to the four Area Action Plans (AAPs) which were being developed as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) for Leeds. Details were also provided on the further technical work being undertaken for inclusion within the submission documents required for independent examination.

Members received a brief introduction to the report and a position statement on each of the four AAPs. The key points raised were as follows:-

City Centre AAP

• Members noted that priority was currently being given to the development of the LDF Core Strategy rather than the City Centre AAP until the Strategy had been progressed to the ‘Preferred Options’ stage;
• The Panel discussed the current boundary of the City Centre AAP, and whether it could be revised in the future.

West Leeds Gateway AAP

• The Panel noted that it was currently anticipated that the pre-submission consultation on the AAP would be held in spring 2009, with final submission to the Secretary of State in late summer 2009;
• With regard to a range of system built housing in the New Wortley area, Members discussed the different funding arrangements available for the demolition and rebuilding of such accommodation as opposed to refurbishment in line with housing decency standards;
• Having noted that an assessment of Armley Mills was currently taking place to determine its future potential to accommodate alternative uses, Members enquired about what the alternative uses may be and emphasised the need to ensure that any proposals should not prohibit the use of the facilities by school parties; 
• An update was also received on the requirement to review the area’s greenspace and to undertake an assessment of transportation issues.

Aire Valley Leeds AAP

• Members learned that following the ‘Preferred Options’ stage, there was a requirement to establish a robust evidence base in order to demonstrate that the schemes within the AAP were viable. In line with this requirement, a financial model had been produced and was being tested, with further testing being undertaken on a transport model;
• The Panel received an update on the development of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, the issue of waste management and a bid which had been submitted to develop an ‘Urban Eco-Settlement’ in the lower Aire Valley.

East and South East Leeds (EASEL) AAP

• Members noted the key issues arising from the consultation undertaken as part of the development of the AAP’s ‘Preferred Options’ and received an update on the work currently being carried out to establish the satisfactory evidence base required in a range of areas. Such areas included the scale of development and potential demolition in the area, the EASEL drainage strategy, the EASEL transport strategy, the EASEL and Aire Valley Town and Local Centre Assessment and issues surrounding improved greenspace. It was confirmed that the firm evidence base was scheduled to be completed by March 2009;
• The Panel briefly discussed the location of sites which may developed as part of the EASEL initiative in the future and the role of Section 106 monies in the delivery of affordable housing. 

RESOLVED –

(a). That the progress which has been made in relation to the four AAPs and the proposed next steps in their development be noted;

(b). That the next stages in the production of the submission documents for independent examination be noted.

(Councillor Anderson declared a personal interest in relation to this item due to his respective positions as a Director of West North West Leeds Homes ALMO and Chair of the ‘Friends of Leeds Museums’ organisation).

(Councillor Gruen joined the meeting at 3.10 p.m. during the consideration of this item).