Councillors set out inquiry battle lines

In March members of a Leeds planning committee turned down plans for more than 500 new homes on the Clariant Works site off Calverley Lane at Horsforth.

The plans were for 400 homes on the Clariant site and a further 150 on the adjacent Riverside Mills site.

More than 160 residents made objections to the plans.

A public inquiry is due to take place in November after the developers decided to appeal against the decision.

Councillors met recently to decide the arguments on which they will oppose the appeal.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrat group on the council said: “Some aspects of the plans that councillors had previously objected to have been revised by the developers. These include a lack of facilities for cyclists and an inadequate travel plan for the site.

“But more fundamental aspects of the development remain unchanged such as the overall sustainability of the chosen site and the impact on ring road traffic. Councillors agreed that they would continue to oppose the development on this basis.”

Horsforth Lib Dem councillor Chris Townsley added: “In a way it’s positive that we’ve found common ground with the developers on some aspects of their plans.

“But the fundamental fact remains that this is an unsustainable site. It’s way outside of the urban area and cut adrift from local services.

“We’re also still extremely concerned about the impact on the ring road. The A6110 suffers from severe congestion already. If this development goes ahead the result will be regular gridlock and that’s something the developers can’t get away from.”

The plans have been opposed by Tory MP Stuart Andrew.

The public inquiry will take place between November 8 and 18 at Leeds Civic Hall.