New development proposed for West Yorkshire village

A new residential development of 300 homes and amenities could transform the village of Scholes in outer North East Leeds.

An outline planning application for a mixed-use site has been submitted by David Wilson Homes and GMI Property, through subsidiary, Scholes Development Company.

The planned development comprises family homes, 35 per cent of which would be affordable housing, together with a new public park adjoining the existing cricket ground, a GP surgery and pharmacy and a convenience store.

Situated between Rakehill Road and Main Street in Scholes, the development would help to deliver new homes in Leeds and provide a boost to healthcare services in the area, with the addition of a new public green space in the village.

As part of the proposals, David Wilson Homes and GMI Property have offered to gift some land adjoining the existing primary school to the community. This would enable the local school to expand and also to provide much needed improvements to car parking and drop off arrangements.

The outer North East of Leeds is required to deliver around 3,470 new homes by 2028. The proposed development at Scholes would utilise safeguarded land, rather than green belt space. This safeguarded allocation is part of the current Leeds Unitary Development Plan, meaning it has been reserved for future development when required.

The development could also reduce pressure on the need to encroach on to the Green Belt on the eastern edge of Leeds at Parlington.

Chris Gilman, managing director of the GMI Property Group said: “This proposed development would provide much needed family homes and affordable housing, and comes with wider benefits to the local community including direct employment, services and shops.”

David Coe, land director at Barratt Developments, said: “We are confident that the proposed development would enhance the Scholes area. The scheme would attract a CIL payment in excess of £1.5 million, 25 per cent of which would go directly to the parish council to be spent locally, and would have huge benefits for the local school and surrounding community.”

For more information visit http://www.johnsonmowat.co.uk/consultations/land-east-of-scholes-update/