'Backwards step': Leeds ice cream factory site set for industrial storage despite objections over environment
Concerns from residents living nearby included noise, dust and air pollution from HGVs.
A former ice cream factory site in east Leeds can be converted for industrial storage use despite environmental concerns.
Dozens of people living near the old Richmond Ice Cream factory on Manston Lane opposed a planning application for its redevelopment.
Leeds City Council received objection letters from more than 60 nearby households, raising concerns over noise, dust and air pollution from HGVs.
Permission was sought for the storage of vehicles and building materials as part of a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Peloton Real Estate.
The application was opposed by Labour ward councillor James Gibson, who said the site was near hundreds of residential properties.
He told a plans panel meeting: “I wish to object to this application because it will have an unacceptable impact on residential amenity through noise, dust and visual intrusion.
“It’s also located in an area that is overwhelmingly residential in character, and offers little local benefit.”
Coun Gibson said some nearby homes would be around ten metres from the proposed storage facility.
Complaints were already being made over air quality and dust from another industrial site further away, he told councillors.
Objector Kevin Greenwood told the panel: “To allow this storage proposal to proceed, in my view as a local resident, is a backward step.
“It will negatively impact me, the other nearby residents, the general tone and aspect of the area.”
The panel was told the former factory site was allocated for employment purposes and not housing.
The developer agreed to support restrictions on truck movements and a HGV ban at Manston Lane and Smeaton Approach.
Planning permission would require financial contributions totalling £44,000.
Planning agent Brad Wiseman, representing the applicant, said changes had been made to mitigate the impact of nearby homes since the scheme was first proposed.
He said: “The scheme before you today has been revised significantly to address those issues.”
Councillors agreed to put the scheme forward for approval at the meeting at Leeds Civic Hall.
Final approval was delegated to the city’s chief planning officer, subject to a road safety audit and legal agreements.