Five blocks of flats set to be built on leather tannery site despite heritage fears

A PLAN to build more than 370 homes is set for approval despite concerns it would harm a rare industrial heritage site in Leeds.

Five blocks of flats would be built on a former leather tannery site on Buslingthorpe Lane in Meanwood under the scheme. Option Two Development and Domus UK Ltd applied for planning permission to build apartment blocks of up to 10 storeys. Former mill buildings would be demolished at the Hilltop Works site, which is part of the Buslingthorpe Conservation Area, to make way for 371 homes.

Parts of a high stone wall along Buslingthorpe Lane and a former industrial chimney would be rebuilt, according to planning documents.

The West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service (WYAAS) and

Historic England were among organisations that raised concerns.

A report to Leeds City Council’s North and East plans panel said: “Demolition of the tannery complex will cause substantial harm to the conservation area and considerable loss of important archaeological evidence relating to its construction and operation.”

The plans panel is recommended to defer and delegate the application for approval by the council’s chief planning officer, subject to conditions. They include financial contributions to road improvements and the upgrade of a nearby bus shelter.

The plans panel report said: “The stone wall, cottage building, retention of Hill Top Mill and the chimney were all part of intense negotiations due to their importance to the character of the conservation area. The result is that whilst Hilltop Mill and the cottage buildings are proposed to be demolished as part of the proposed redevelopment, the high stone wall along Buslingthorpe Lane and the chimney structure are to be largely re-built.”

The plans panel will discuss the application at a meeting on Thursday April 25.