Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum is pleased to launch its Policy Intentions Document – its first consultation document for the Kirkstall Neighbourhood Plan. The Plan is all about making sure that our area develops in a way that is both sustainable and meets your needs and wishes over the next 15 years or so. We know that we won’t be able to please everyone – but by responding to this consultation we promise to hear and heed your views and ideas.
This first consultation is all about our ‘Policy Intentions’ this introduction summaries the full document which can be accessed using the link above. Your responses will help us flesh out these intentions into fully formed planning policies, along with supporting ‘community actions’. In time – and subject to a successful ‘Yes’ vote in a referendum of all residents in the defined Neighbourhood Area – this Plan will become a statutory part of the Leeds Development Plan and be used by Leeds planners to make decisions on future planning applications. So, it’s really important we hear from you!
The consultation runs until 21st March 2025. The survey can be completed in Survey Monkey using the link below:
If you’d prefer to reply on paper, a hard copy of the questionnaire can be obtained by writing to one of the addresses at the bottom of the page, or can be picked up from one of the following locations, where paper copies of the Policy Intentions Document can also be viewed:
| Venue | Opening Times |
| St Matt’s Church St Matthias’ St, Burley, Leeds LS4 2DZ | Tuesday mornings, between 10am and 11.30am. |
| New Burley Club Burley Hill Dr, Kirkstall, Leeds LS4 2SZ | Monday – Thursday 4pm – 10pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday 2pm – 10pm |
| Kirkstall Valley Development Trust St Stephens’ Church Hall, Norman St, Leeds LS5 3JN | Monday – Thursday 9am to 3pm |
| Hawksworth Community Hub 6 Broadway, Hawksworth, Leeds LS5 3PR | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday 9am – 5pm. Tuesday 10am – 5pm. |
| St Andrew’s Church, Butcher Hill LS16 5HB | Monday and Wednesday 3.30pm to 5.30pm |
The consultation form can be returned to us in the FREEPOST envelope that comes with the questionnaire.
‘Drop-in’ Sessions
We are also holding ‘drop-in’ sessions at three of the venues listed above. At these sessions, local residents and other consultees can meet forum board members, ask questions and get information. We’ll be happy to receive completed questionnaires at these sessions if anyone wants to bring one along – or complete one while they’re there.
| Where | When |
| Kirkstall Valley Development Trust St Stephens’ Church Hall, Norman St, Leeds LS5 3JN | Monday 10th March, 11am to 2pm |
| St Andrews’ Church Butcher Hill LS16 5HB | Wednesday 12th March, 4.30pm to 7.30pm |
| New Burley Club Burley Hill Dr, Kirkstall, Leeds LS4 2SZ | Saturday 15th March, 11am to 2pm |
Want to know more?
If you have any other queries, please feel free to contact us by emailing knf@kirkstall.org.uk or by writing to: Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum, c/o Hawksworth Community Hub, 6 Broadway Leeds LS5 3PR
We really look forward to hearing from you!
Yours sincerely
John Liversedge Chair, Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum
The Policy Intentions
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT & TRAFFIC
YOU TOLD US:
- Traffic volumes, congestion and rat-running are all a concern
- You want more provision for pedestrians and cyclists
- Public transport needs to be better
- About places where specific measures should be taken, e.g. traffic calming, zebra crossings
THE POLICY INTENTIONS are to:
- Protect, improve and extend Kirkstall’s walking and cycling network, including improved riverside access (KT1)
- Support development which contributes to improved public transport provision (KT2)
- Protect existing public car parking areas, e.g. Abbey Car Park (KT3)
- Support development which brings about highway improvements, e.g. traffic flow improvements at the A65 Kirkstall Lites junction (KT4)
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
YOU TOLD US:
- Kirkstall has a strong sense of community
- There’s a lack of community facilities/social places to meet
- There’s a need for a community centre in Kirkstall village and a library
THE POLICY INTENTIONS are to:
- Protect existing community facilities in the area and support their improvement (KCF1)
- Support development which provides new facilities, including a Kirkstall village community centre (KCF2)
- Identify vacant/derelict buildings and sites where facilities could be developed (KCF3)
LOCAL ENVIRONMENT & GREEN SPACES
YOU TOLD US:
- Kirkstall’s attractive environment and public spaces makes it feel like home
- You love the parks, green/open spaces and riverside
- More greenspace, play areas and trees are needed
THE POLICY INTENTIONS are to:
- Identify and protect a linked network of open spaces across Kirkstall (KLE1)
- Identify and protect as many individual green spaces as possible as Local Green Space (KLE2)
- Support the enhancement of green space for community and biodiversity benefit (KLE3)
- Support the provision of new green space where needed, e.g. equipped play areas and allotments (KLE4)
- Not support development which worsens air quality (KLE5)
- Plug gaps in national and local policies on flood risk (KLE6)
HOUSING
YOU TOLD US:
- There is a lack of affordable housing
- Houses built need to meet local needs
- Derelict buildings/sites should be repurposed for new housing
- Design and layout should respect local character, have access to facilities and be liveable
THE POLICY INTENTIONS are to:
- Require that the mix of new housing meets local needs (KHO1)
- Ensure that any affordable housing due to the area is built in the area (KHO2)
- Set out key guiding principles to ensure new housing is liveable and fits in (KHO3)
- Set out tests to make sure new housing only takes place on suitable sites (KHO4)
- where new housing could be developed (KHO5)
HERITAGE & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
YOU TOLD US:
- You value features such as back-to-backs, through-terraces, cobbled streets and stone
- You value old mills, the Burley conservation area and Kirkstall Abbey
- You value local character and distinctiveness
THE POLICY INTENTIONS are to:
- Identify and protect unlisted buildings and heritage features as Non-Designated Heritage Assets (KHE1)
- Guide design and development in defined character areas of Kirkstall so they respect local distinctiveness and reflect good design principles (KHE2)
- Guide design and development within Burley Village and Kirkstall Abbey Conservation Areas so they reflect and take account of the areas’ special historic and architectural features (KHE3 & KHE4)
- Identify vacant/derelict heritage buildings which present opportunities for repurposing (KHE5)
EMPLOYMENT
YOU TOLD US:
- Tourism is important to Kirkstall
- Kirkstall lacks a clear village centre
- The area needs to retain existing businesses and encourage more
THE POLICY INTENTIONS are to:
- Promote tourism and cultural development (KTO1)
- Define and safeguard local shopping areas not covered by existing Leeds Council planning policies (KTO2)
The consultation runs until 21st March 2025. The survey can be completed in Survey Monkey using the link below: