East Leeds plans to deliver major boost for homes and transport

This week will see a significant step forward in plans for one of the biggest infrastructure schemes the council will have delivered in 40 years, in proposals to be presented to Leeds City Council’s executive board at its meeting on Wednesday 21 June.

Alongside the submission of a major planning application for the East Leeds Orbital Road (ELOR) and related green space, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure the council is bringing together proposals to secure the land and funding that will enable its construction. The ELOR will support the development of the East Leeds Extension, a major expansion of the city of around 5,000 new homes, alongside the mixed use retail, leisure and office development of Thorpe Park.

The council has been leading on the design and planning of the scheme, including consultation with local people, businesses and organisations for over four years, as well as undertaking detailed work to be clear about the land that will be needed and who will be affected. The proposals to undertake land acquisitions and if necessary use compulsory purchase powers will allow the council to assemble all of the property needed to construct ELOR and to ensure it integrates effectively with the local area.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council Executive Member for regeneration, transport and planning, said:

“This is a significant development for Leeds and the plans for ELOR will allow us to take the next major step forward in delivering much needed new homes and critical transport infrastructure for East Leeds. The Council is now making a firm commitment to deliver the land assembly required for this project.

“The ELOR is absolutely essential to unlocking this major growth area, which will play a major role in meeting the housing needs of the city in the years to come.

“We have ensured we have consulted the local people affected, businesses and anyone else with an interest so that we can make sure the plans reflect any concerns. As this process continues there will be further opportunities for people to see what is planned and tell us what they think about the proposals. As a Council we will continue to work with landowners and developers to ensure we are proactive and joined up to secure the best outcomes for the city as quickly as possible.”

As well as the delivery of ELOR, the scheme will include major landscaping and planting, a country park, connecting green pathways, access to countryside and beyond through ‘green’ bridges, bridleways and footpaths. Major new cycle and leisure routes will also be included in the scheme.

The East Leeds Extension and ELOR will be developed as a bypass to the existing A6120 Outer Ring Road at Red Hall, through to Manston Lane and junction 46 of the M1 via Thorpe Park. Within the East Leeds Extension there are existing proposals for 2,000 new homes between the A58 Wetherby Road and A64 York Road and it is expected that further applications will come forward from landowners for other parts of the area. A site at Whinmoor Grange will be home to a relocated horticultural nursery from Red Hall, which will then be available for future redevelopment.

More detailed information about the plans is available on the East Leeds Extension website www.leeds.gov.uk/ele.