Oulton flats refusal welcomed

3.09.21pm GMT Tue 14th Feb 2006

Plans for two 2 storey blocks of eight bedroom flats in Oulton, have been refused by Council planners. The flats, proposed for St John's Street, close to the Oulton Conservation Area, were dismissed by the Council's Plans Panel East last Friday (09/02/06). Both Councillor Steve Smith and Councillor Mitchell Galdas lodged objections to the plans along with 131 letters from concerned local residents.

Councillor Steve Smith (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said, "I'm delighted. The impact the development would have had on the conservation area would have been considerable. Should the development have got the go ahead a number of trees would have to been removed and the flats would have loomed large over a grade two listed building on Aberford Road. It was also important to consider the parking issues that would have arisen should the plans have got the green light."

Note to Editors:

The following reasons were suggested for members' consideration (taken from Plans Panel report 09/02/06)

1. The site lies within the Oulton Conservation Area and the Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development, by reason of the siting, mass and design of the buildings, would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area.

2. The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development of this site for a block of 8 flats, by reason of the amount of development, including the overall mass of the buildings, access and parking areas constitutes an over-development of the site, causing harm to the character and amenity of the area.

3. The Local Planning Authority considers that insufficient off street car parking is available within the site to cater for the needs of vehicles likely to be associated with the development. This would lead to increased pressure for on-street parking to the detriment of the free and safe flow of traffic to the existing highway system.

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.