MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to August’s newsletter.
Firstly, a big thank you to the hundreds of people who registered their objections to the Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application to build 210 homes on the North Yorkshire side of the boundary with Wetherby.
The sheer volume of objections in such a short consultation period, sends a clear message to the developers, landowners and North Yorkshire Council that the application runs contrary to sound planning and should be refused, again. Although the formal deadline for objections has now passed, Better Wetherby urge people to make their views known – see herein for details.
I draw your attention to an opportunity to make your voice heard in shaping future plans for housebuilding in and around Wetherby. Leeds City Council is consulting on the Leeds Local Plan until 15th September 2025, so please see herein to participate and express your views.
Finally, as many of you have submitted your comments regarding the Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application recently, I wonder if you would also like to support the work Better Wetherby does by volunteering a little of your time? See herein to how you could make a difference!
Thank you for reading and your continued support.
Peter Swales
Chair, Better Wetherby.
LEEDS LOCAL PLAN 2022-2042 CONSULTATION - HAVE YOUR SAY!
In our last newsletter we mentioned Leeds City Council (LCC) had launched its public consultation on 7th July which runs to 15th September 2025, and that LCC were hosting a drop-in event at Wetherby Town Hall on 24th July 2025.
In case you were not aware, Leeds City Council (and all other councils in England), must prepare a Local Plan. It includes consideration of housing needs, the amount and location of development throughout the city up to 2042.
The public consultation process offers the opportunity to comment on the interest shown by developers, via the “call for sites” process, to build throughout the Leeds area.
A map showing details of the sites in the Leeds Outer North East area (which includes Alwoodley, Bardsey, Barwick in Elmet, Boston Spa, Bramham, Clifford, Collingham, East Keswick, Harewood, Linton, Scarcroft, Scholes, Shadwell, Thorner, Thorpe Arch, Walton and Wetherby) can be found at this link.
Better Wetherby attended the drop in event in the Town Hall last month which was extremely well attended by the public, demonstrating the keen interest there is from people in the Outer North East area of Leeds.
We would urge everyone to review the sites that are of interest to them and record their views so that they can inform Leeds Planners in their decision making. Note that a ‘desk based’ chart has been produced for each site, these will be used as part of the process of approval or rejection of each site, so it is crucial to report any errors / omissions.
A few sites close to Wetherby we would draw your immediate attention to are:
STOCKELD PARK / SPOFFORTH HILL PLANNING APPLICATION: 25/02006/OUTMAJIn the brief period available for the public to voice their view on this application, some 360 comments have been made of which the overwhelming majority (c. 99% / total 357) were objections. The facts speak for themselves, the public remain strongly opposed to this application.
Details of the application can be seen on the North Yorkshire planning portal, or on BW's website. Although the deadline has officially passed, BW urge people who have not already done so, to register their opposition, quoting the reference “25/02006/OUTMAJ, Land at Harrogate Road, Wetherby”.
Objections can still be submitted by email to: [email protected], or by letter to Support Team (PSEG), Improvement, Development & Support, North Yorkshire Council, PO Box 787, HARROGATE, HG1 9RW.
As outlined in BW’s July newsletter, this is an almost identical application to one that was refused in 2020, following hundreds of objections and a long campaign.
Over the coming weeks, North Yorkshire Planning officials will consider the application. According to North Yorkshire Planning portal, a target date of 11th September has been set for internal determination. BW will be closely monitoring progress and will keep people informed.
SECRETARY
Better Wetherby would like to thank Jacquie Clarke, who has supported BW since summer 2024 as our most recent Secretary. We appreciate her contributions and wish her well for the future!
SUPPORTING BETTER WETHERBY
Better Wetherby believe that it is important that our historic and attractive market town is developed in a careful, considered and sustainable way. BW is independent, impartial and non-political.
BW engage constructively with relevant authorities, developers and the local community with the objective of obtaining the best outcome for Wetherby and District.
The aim of BW is – Working to ensure that the physical character of Wetherby and District is protected and developed for the benefit of the community of both current and future generations.
Our small team of volunteers, all drawn from the local community, need support. As we face the current challenge posed by the Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application and the prospect of more developers wishing to build on the boundary with Wetherby, we need new volunteers.
Every hour a new volunteer gives of their time, allows existing volunteers that time to focus elsewhere. You will make a difference!
PARKING CHARGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON 1ST OCTOBER 2025
Despite huge local opposition, it was recently confirmed that Leeds City Council will be introducing parking charges on the Wilderness and Old Station car parks with effect from 1st October.
HARROGATE TOWN / WETHERBY RACECOURSE CONSULTATION
Representatives from BW attended a public drop-in event at Wetherby Town Hall on 17th July to review proposals by Harrogate Town AFC in partnership with Wetherby Steeplechase Committee, to develop a new football training facility on surplus land at Wetherby Racecourse.
The proposal is to provide training pitches and facilities for the club’s players, Player Development Centres and the wider community. The scheme also offers opportunities for local boys and girls from the ages of 7 to 16 to access high quality coaching which is good news.
The next stage in the process is for the submission of a formal planning application, and subject to this being sound, Better Wetherby would certainly support this development as we believe it would be great resource to Wetherby and the surrounding area.
JOIN US: If you wish to be included on our mailing list, please send a request via our website or by email to [email protected].
Please feel free to share this newsletter - the more people that are aware of these important local issues, the better.
Welcome to August’s newsletter.
Firstly, a big thank you to the hundreds of people who registered their objections to the Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application to build 210 homes on the North Yorkshire side of the boundary with Wetherby.
The sheer volume of objections in such a short consultation period, sends a clear message to the developers, landowners and North Yorkshire Council that the application runs contrary to sound planning and should be refused, again. Although the formal deadline for objections has now passed, Better Wetherby urge people to make their views known – see herein for details.
I draw your attention to an opportunity to make your voice heard in shaping future plans for housebuilding in and around Wetherby. Leeds City Council is consulting on the Leeds Local Plan until 15th September 2025, so please see herein to participate and express your views.
Finally, as many of you have submitted your comments regarding the Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application recently, I wonder if you would also like to support the work Better Wetherby does by volunteering a little of your time? See herein to how you could make a difference!
Thank you for reading and your continued support.
Peter Swales
Chair, Better Wetherby.
LEEDS LOCAL PLAN 2022-2042 CONSULTATION - HAVE YOUR SAY!
In our last newsletter we mentioned Leeds City Council (LCC) had launched its public consultation on 7th July which runs to 15th September 2025, and that LCC were hosting a drop-in event at Wetherby Town Hall on 24th July 2025.
In case you were not aware, Leeds City Council (and all other councils in England), must prepare a Local Plan. It includes consideration of housing needs, the amount and location of development throughout the city up to 2042.
The public consultation process offers the opportunity to comment on the interest shown by developers, via the “call for sites” process, to build throughout the Leeds area.
A map showing details of the sites in the Leeds Outer North East area (which includes Alwoodley, Bardsey, Barwick in Elmet, Boston Spa, Bramham, Clifford, Collingham, East Keswick, Harewood, Linton, Scarcroft, Scholes, Shadwell, Thorner, Thorpe Arch, Walton and Wetherby) can be found at this link.
Better Wetherby attended the drop in event in the Town Hall last month which was extremely well attended by the public, demonstrating the keen interest there is from people in the Outer North East area of Leeds.
We would urge everyone to review the sites that are of interest to them and record their views so that they can inform Leeds Planners in their decision making. Note that a ‘desk based’ chart has been produced for each site, these will be used as part of the process of approval or rejection of each site, so it is crucial to report any errors / omissions.
A few sites close to Wetherby we would draw your immediate attention to are:
- LPS00310 Demolition of old Town Council Offices, loss of Crossley Street Car Park and local shops. Estimated 26 new homes.
- LPS00369 Kings Meadow View. Estimated 127 new homes. The potential development of this site in 2017, along with the Stockeld Park application led to the formation of Better Wetherby. This site, along with the new Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application, is viewed as being crucial for the ambition of major house building expansion over the land between Wetherby, Spofforth and Kirk Deighton.
- LPS00295 Swinnow Park, close to Racecourse Approach development. Estimated 593 new homes.
- LPS00181 Site off Walton Road. Estimated 1,757 new homes
STOCKELD PARK / SPOFFORTH HILL PLANNING APPLICATION: 25/02006/OUTMAJIn the brief period available for the public to voice their view on this application, some 360 comments have been made of which the overwhelming majority (c. 99% / total 357) were objections. The facts speak for themselves, the public remain strongly opposed to this application.
Details of the application can be seen on the North Yorkshire planning portal, or on BW's website. Although the deadline has officially passed, BW urge people who have not already done so, to register their opposition, quoting the reference “25/02006/OUTMAJ, Land at Harrogate Road, Wetherby”.
Objections can still be submitted by email to: [email protected], or by letter to Support Team (PSEG), Improvement, Development & Support, North Yorkshire Council, PO Box 787, HARROGATE, HG1 9RW.
As outlined in BW’s July newsletter, this is an almost identical application to one that was refused in 2020, following hundreds of objections and a long campaign.
Over the coming weeks, North Yorkshire Planning officials will consider the application. According to North Yorkshire Planning portal, a target date of 11th September has been set for internal determination. BW will be closely monitoring progress and will keep people informed.
SECRETARY
Better Wetherby would like to thank Jacquie Clarke, who has supported BW since summer 2024 as our most recent Secretary. We appreciate her contributions and wish her well for the future!
SUPPORTING BETTER WETHERBY
Better Wetherby believe that it is important that our historic and attractive market town is developed in a careful, considered and sustainable way. BW is independent, impartial and non-political.
BW engage constructively with relevant authorities, developers and the local community with the objective of obtaining the best outcome for Wetherby and District.
The aim of BW is – Working to ensure that the physical character of Wetherby and District is protected and developed for the benefit of the community of both current and future generations.
Our small team of volunteers, all drawn from the local community, need support. As we face the current challenge posed by the Stockeld Park / Hallam Land application and the prospect of more developers wishing to build on the boundary with Wetherby, we need new volunteers.
Every hour a new volunteer gives of their time, allows existing volunteers that time to focus elsewhere. You will make a difference!
- BW’s current need:
Admin - if you can copy and paste information into a spreadsheet, please let us know.
Social media – if you understand how to use it effectively, maybe professionally or through personal interest, please get in touch.
Mapping – any experience of combining images from maps together would be welcome.
Secretary / General admin – if planning skills are your thing, drop us a line.
Photography – local images would be welcome for our newsletter and to refresh BW’s website. Drone footage is something BW is considering too!
PARKING CHARGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON 1ST OCTOBER 2025
Despite huge local opposition, it was recently confirmed that Leeds City Council will be introducing parking charges on the Wilderness and Old Station car parks with effect from 1st October.
HARROGATE TOWN / WETHERBY RACECOURSE CONSULTATION
Representatives from BW attended a public drop-in event at Wetherby Town Hall on 17th July to review proposals by Harrogate Town AFC in partnership with Wetherby Steeplechase Committee, to develop a new football training facility on surplus land at Wetherby Racecourse.
The proposal is to provide training pitches and facilities for the club’s players, Player Development Centres and the wider community. The scheme also offers opportunities for local boys and girls from the ages of 7 to 16 to access high quality coaching which is good news.
The next stage in the process is for the submission of a formal planning application, and subject to this being sound, Better Wetherby would certainly support this development as we believe it would be great resource to Wetherby and the surrounding area.
JOIN US: If you wish to be included on our mailing list, please send a request via our website or by email to [email protected].
Please feel free to share this newsletter - the more people that are aware of these important local issues, the better.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT BW? CONTACT US:
If any local organisations wish to learn more about BW, a talk about our activities can be arranged.
We also very much welcome and encourage volunteers and supporters to assist our efforts.
If any local organisations wish to learn more about BW, a talk about our activities can be arranged.
We also very much welcome and encourage volunteers and supporters to assist our efforts.
