Plans lodged for new Temple Newsam facilities

Plans have been lodged for a range of new leisure facilities at the historic Temple Newsam estate in Leeds.Southern Green Ltd was commissioned by Leeds City Council’s Parks and Countryside Service in January 2021 to develop proposals to enhance the visitor offer at Temple Newsam Estate.A full planning application has now been submitted to the council for the project.The plans cover about 137 acres of the Temple Newsam Estate, primarily comprising the decommissioned section of the golf course to the south and west of the house.Approval is sought for about 3.6km of new cycling and walking trails around the estate, together with landscape and ecological interventions.A play area and learn-to-ride cycle facility is proposed to the north west of the park, adjacent to the existing golf club house.A separate application has also been prepared for the conversion of the club house into a café.The plans are designed to Increase public use of the area and encourage visitors to Temple Newsam.The project team includes planning consultant Maria Ferguson, Archaeological Services at Durham University, Artis, Enviroscope, Fiona Green, 3E Consulting Engineers, and Geoenviro Servies.Temple Newsam House is a grade I-listed Tudor-Jacobean Mansion set within 1,500 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland.Planning permission was granted last year for the redevelopment of the cow byre and its surrounding buildings at Temple Newsam’s Home Farm to create an indoor play centre, café and shop.