700-home development recommended for approval

Plans to build more than 700 homes on a site in the Leeds Aire Valley look set to get the green light when they go before councillors at a meeting next week (18 July 2019).Templegate Developments, a joint venture partnership between Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, is behind the latest Skelton Gate plans, which were lodged in 2018.Part of the former open cast colliery site, to the east of Junction 45 of the M1, was awarded planning permission in 2016 for up to 1,100 new homes, a primary and secondary school, public open space, a local centre and a convenience store, as well as associated infrastructure.The new application seeks outline planning permission for 701 homes on the southern portion of the site, together with associated landscaping, infrastructure and public open space.If planning permission is secured, ground works would then be undertaken to provide a development platform.The application will be considered by the Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel on 18 July in is recommended for approval, subject to completion of a legal agreement, in a planning officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The development would also help the council to meet its five-year housing land supply requirements.Contractor Hall Construction Services started work on Phase 1 of the scheme, which is funded by a £20m Home Building Fund loan from Homes England. The initial element will comprise more than 30 net acres of fully serviced development plots, available by spring 2020.