Leeds council calls on Government to ‘step in’ over industrial estate plans approved by Bradford
Leeds City Council has written a letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government raising significant concerns over a decision that gave the go ahead for a new industrial park in Keighley.
The council says in that the decision, made by Bradford Council in June, could increase the risk of floods in areas including Kirkstall and Burley.
The application for the industrial park off Royd Ings Avenue, next to the River Aire in Keighley, has been submitted by PH Holdings. It was approved by Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee in June. That decision was made despite the Environment Agency and the Council’s own officers suggesting the plans be refused.
The formal objection letter has been sent to the Secretary of State James Brokenshire MP.
Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “It is very rare for us to take this step of formally objecting to a decision made by a neighbouring authority, but in this case we think it is needed due to the major concerns we have over the impact this development could have on Leeds, and also the fact the information the committee was given to base its decision on was not accurate or complete.
“While appreciating the importance of supporting economic growth across our region, that is overridden in this case by the threat to safety it could cause to our communities so that is why we are calling for the government to step and look at this.”
The letter from Leeds Council says the committee had underestimated the impact that building on the flood plain would have downstream. In it, chief executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan, said: “Leeds City Council has significant concerns with regard to the application which give rise to matters that are more than of local importance.
“The wider strategic implications of the development for flood risk downstream, within the Leeds Metropolitan District, will not be mitigated in the way envisaged by the Committee. Leeds City Council has fundamental concerns regarding the impact of this development upon managing flood risk in Leeds and the costs and other implications that could arise should it occur.
“Leeds City Council is working actively with Bradford to promote its positive economic ambitions and is fully supportive of several joint initiatives such as a new Bradford station as part of the Northern Powerhouse rail proposals. However, whilst the City Council fully understands the need for development which promotes economic growth, in this instance, it is of the view that the Secretary of State needs to be fully aware of the significant detrimental effects that the development would have, beyond its immediate locality.”
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said it was “aware” of Leeds City Council’s intervention.
They added: “Bradford Council has already sent all of the relevant information to the Secretary of State, including the reasons why the Committee resolved to support the scheme. The Secretary of State has yet to notify the Council if he intends to intervene in the decision making process.”
