Hundreds or homes planned close to M1

HUNDREDS OF homes could be added to major planning blueprints for a new community in Yorkshire’s biggest city.

Templegate Developments Ltd has submitted an application to build a further 701 homes off Pontefract Lane in Leeds on its 170acre Skelton Gate site, which is a little more than three miles from the city centre.

If approved, it would take the number of homes being created at the site near junction 45 of the M1 to about 1,800 properties.

Outline planning consent was already granted in November 2017 for the creation of a new mixed-use sustainable community there, comprising up to 1,100 new homes, a primary and secondary school, public open space, and a centre and a convenience store, as well as associated infrastructure.

Now, according to the developers, the council’s approval of the adoption of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan means land at Skelton Gate has been allocated for a further 700 homes.

Documents submitted with the proposals also say that a “significant proportion” of the site, including part of Skelton Lake, has been transferred to the council to be used as a nature reserve managed by the RSPB.

In a planning statement, the developer said: “The proposal will have a unique landscape character, having a rural feel in an elevated position above the Aire Valley.”

Peter Garrett, managing director of Keyland Developments, has also said: “We’re really excited about this development.

“Our planning application for these additional new homes is intended to complement the existing approved scheme and will make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs in Leeds.”

Templegate Developments is a partnership between Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, which have a number of developments in Leeds.