Leeds flood defence works set for approval

A £112.1m programme of flood defences designed to protect thousands of homes and businesses in Leeds looks set to get the go-ahead from the council’s planning committee next week.Planning applications for phase two of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme were submitted at the end of 2018 and will be considered by Leeds City Council next week (6 June 2019).Leeds City Council has worked alongside the Environment Agency to develop the plans. A range of measures are proposed to reduce the risk of flooding along a 14-kilometre stretch along the River Aire. The scheme includes the A65 Kirkstall Corridor, which was badly hit by the impact of Storm Eva at Christmas 2015, ending at Apperley Bridge, Bradford.The plans will include work to a number of listed buildings and structures: Wellington Bridge in the city centre, Armley Mills, Clough House in Kirkstall and Newlay Bridge.It has been estimated that 3,000 residential properties and 500 businesses are within the flood plain of the River Aire covered by the scheme, and a major flood in Leeds could cause £400m of direct damage.The applications will be considered by the council’s City Plans Panel on 6 June and a planning officer’s report prepared for the meeting recommends that planning consent is granted.