Objections soar against 500 homes plan in Leeds

Outline proposals were submitted by Persimmon Homes and Priestgate Morley Limited in May to turn greenfield land at Lane Side Farm, off Victoria Road, Churwell, into up to 550 houses.

Now more than 1,000 objections have been lodged against the plans by campaigners, who fear services and highways in the area will struggle to cope with new demand.

Coun Robert Finnigan, who is leading the campaign, said: “I am delighted at the number of objections that have been lodged. A thousand objections show the strength of opposition to this proposal from the community and how they want to protect an important local greenfield asset.”

The soar in objections follows a meeting in June when around 200 objectors packed into Morley Town Hall to discuss the plans.

The proposals are expected to be considered by the council’s South and West Plans Panel at a meeting this month.

Coun Finnigan added: “We are objecting because 550 houses on this site will overwhelm Churwell Hill with traffic - worsening congestion that already exists.

“It will also mean local schools and health centres will be unable to cope with the demand for their services.

“This greenfield site is one of the few remaining sections of a green belt which separates Churwell from Morley and we will continue to campaign to save it from over-development.”

A planning statement, submitted by Barton Willmore on behalf of the applicants, said: “It is clear that the development would not lead to harm that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the significant benefits that the scheme would bring.”