MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
A warm welcome to the latest newsletter.
In our March newsletter we reported that we face a re-run of the Stockeld Park application of over 5 years ago.
Hallam Land announced in March their intention to make an outline planning application for homes on the North Yorkshire side of the Wetherby boundary. This is largely the same application that was refused in 2020. As we go to press with this latest newsletter no formal application has yet been submitted. However, based on the comments of Hallam, I anticipate it will be soon.
In addition to BW concerns about the intentions of Hallam Land, we also face the prospect of further large-scale building on the boundary as other developers respond to the ‘call for sites’ by North Yorkshire Council (NYC). This has already attracted considerable interest from developers.
We continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information as it becomes available.
Within this edition, you will find some information about some excellent local events taking place over the coming weeks and months.
Finally, congratulations to Councillor Connor Mulhall on his recent appointment as the Town Mayor of Wetherby.
Thanks for reading.
Roger Owen
Chair: Better Wetherby Partnership
STOCKELD PARK / HALLAM LAND – AWAITING NEW APPLICATION
A reminder that Better Wetherby was formed by local residents following the serious concerns of many local people about an application by Stockeld Park and Hallam Land to build 210 new houses on the North Yorkshire side of the boundary with Wetherby.
A 2-year campaign by BW, supported by hundreds of local people, led to the application finally being refused in February 2020.
Following the recent announcement by Hallam Land that they intend to submit a fresh application, it’s important to emphasise that the serious concerns expressed by BW when opposing the original application remain. It will be transformational and harmful to the landscape, character and local environment. It will contribute to a worsening of Wetherby’s existing highways, congestion and air pollution problems. It will place considerable further pressures on our already overburdened schools, doctors and other local services (see our March Newsletter for further details).
An application from Hallam Land is expected soon. BW are monitoring the situation and will report back if and when there is any further information.
MALTKILN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATION EXERCISE
The Maltkiln Village project aims to build 3,000+ homes near Cattal. A consultation by North Yorkshire Council on the New Settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan Document, Schedule of Main Modifications ran from 10 February to 24 March 2025. The responses gathered are now being reviewed by the Planning Inspector. Once the review is complete, the Planning Inspector will submit a report to North Yorkshire Council. Due to the close proximity to Wetherby and the potential adverse impact of such a large-scale development on the town, BW continues to maintain a close watch on the situation.
NORTH YORKSHIRE ‘CALL FOR SITES’ - POTENTIALLY MORE BUILDING ON THE WETHERBY BOUNDARY
In the January newsletter we reported that North Yorkshire Council (NYC) had announced their Local Plan ‘Call for Sites’ document. This is the start of a lengthy process which allows developers to identify and register interest in building on specific areas of land. It eventually leads to the formation of a Local / Structure Plan or Site Allocation Plan which will then be subject to scrutiny in the form of an Inquiry.
NORTH YORKSHIRE LOCAL PLAN CONVERSATION – THE CHANCE TO GIVE YOUR VIEWS
As the building of new developments on the North Yorkshire side of the boundary with Wetherby is likely to have a significant impact on our town, then local people should be aware that North Yorkshire Council is currently consulting on the following two documents:
LOCAL NEWS - PARKING CHARGES UPDATE
In late 2023 Leeds City Council announced an intention to introduce parking charges in the Wilderness and Old Station car parks. This was met with considerable local opposition coordinated by Ward Councillor Alan Lamb.
The latest episode in this long-running story was the completion of a four-week public consultation exercise on 14th March. The results of that consultation have not yet been published and we await a final decision from LCC about the charges.
BUS SERVICES – X 98 and X99
Transdev has announced that the company will not be operating the X98 and X99 service after 30th August 2025. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) are currently seeking another operator to take over the routes and Transdev are working with them to ensure a smooth transition. Wetherby Ward Councillors Penny Stables, Alan Lamb and Norma Harrington are maintaining their efforts to ensure that the bus service is frequent, reliable and affordable. BW have been reassured that the X98/X99 service will continue to operate after 30th August.
APPOINTMENT OF WETHERBY TOWN MAYOR
Better Wetherby wishes to warmly congratulate Councillor Connor Mulhall on his appointment in May as the new Town Mayor.
At 26 years of age, he has become Wetherby’s youngest ever Town Mayor.
His Deputy will be Councillor Stuart Newcombe.
WETHERBY FESTIVAL – 3rd to 11th OCTOBER
An excellent programme for the annual Wetherby Festival in October has been organised.
Details and ticket prices will be publicised in the near future, but please do make a note of the dates!
‘DROVERS DAY’ – WETHERBY’S BRASS BAND MARCHING CONTEST – SUNDAY, 29th JUNE 2025
A great day of entertainment to look forward to on Sunday 29th June when Wetherby will celebrate the annual Drovers’ Day. This recalls the period when, for over 200 years, thousands of cattle were walked from gathering points in Scotland to markets in the south of England via Wetherby with its bridge and ford over the River Wharfe.
The event, organised by Wetherby Lions and Wetherby Riverside Bandstand Trust, will feature 20 brass bands from Derbyshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Northumberland. For over 4 hours, the bands will march and play through the town. There will also be Craft and Artisan markets in the Town Hall and the Market Place with hot food available. An event not to be missed.
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.
A warm welcome to the latest newsletter.
In our March newsletter we reported that we face a re-run of the Stockeld Park application of over 5 years ago.
Hallam Land announced in March their intention to make an outline planning application for homes on the North Yorkshire side of the Wetherby boundary. This is largely the same application that was refused in 2020. As we go to press with this latest newsletter no formal application has yet been submitted. However, based on the comments of Hallam, I anticipate it will be soon.
In addition to BW concerns about the intentions of Hallam Land, we also face the prospect of further large-scale building on the boundary as other developers respond to the ‘call for sites’ by North Yorkshire Council (NYC). This has already attracted considerable interest from developers.
We continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information as it becomes available.
Within this edition, you will find some information about some excellent local events taking place over the coming weeks and months.
Finally, congratulations to Councillor Connor Mulhall on his recent appointment as the Town Mayor of Wetherby.
Thanks for reading.
Roger Owen
Chair: Better Wetherby Partnership
STOCKELD PARK / HALLAM LAND – AWAITING NEW APPLICATION
A reminder that Better Wetherby was formed by local residents following the serious concerns of many local people about an application by Stockeld Park and Hallam Land to build 210 new houses on the North Yorkshire side of the boundary with Wetherby.
A 2-year campaign by BW, supported by hundreds of local people, led to the application finally being refused in February 2020.
Following the recent announcement by Hallam Land that they intend to submit a fresh application, it’s important to emphasise that the serious concerns expressed by BW when opposing the original application remain. It will be transformational and harmful to the landscape, character and local environment. It will contribute to a worsening of Wetherby’s existing highways, congestion and air pollution problems. It will place considerable further pressures on our already overburdened schools, doctors and other local services (see our March Newsletter for further details).
An application from Hallam Land is expected soon. BW are monitoring the situation and will report back if and when there is any further information.
MALTKILN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATION EXERCISE
The Maltkiln Village project aims to build 3,000+ homes near Cattal. A consultation by North Yorkshire Council on the New Settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan Document, Schedule of Main Modifications ran from 10 February to 24 March 2025. The responses gathered are now being reviewed by the Planning Inspector. Once the review is complete, the Planning Inspector will submit a report to North Yorkshire Council. Due to the close proximity to Wetherby and the potential adverse impact of such a large-scale development on the town, BW continues to maintain a close watch on the situation.
NORTH YORKSHIRE ‘CALL FOR SITES’ - POTENTIALLY MORE BUILDING ON THE WETHERBY BOUNDARY
In the January newsletter we reported that North Yorkshire Council (NYC) had announced their Local Plan ‘Call for Sites’ document. This is the start of a lengthy process which allows developers to identify and register interest in building on specific areas of land. It eventually leads to the formation of a Local / Structure Plan or Site Allocation Plan which will then be subject to scrutiny in the form of an Inquiry.
NORTH YORKSHIRE LOCAL PLAN CONVERSATION – THE CHANCE TO GIVE YOUR VIEWS
As the building of new developments on the North Yorkshire side of the boundary with Wetherby is likely to have a significant impact on our town, then local people should be aware that North Yorkshire Council is currently consulting on the following two documents:
- North Yorkshire Local Plan: our first conversation, May 2025 - Asking for your views on the priorities and issues the North Yorkshire Local Plan can help address.
- Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, May 2025 - Sustainability Appraisal is a legal requirement to assess the economic, social and environmental effects of the local plan and to monitor its impacts.
LOCAL NEWS - PARKING CHARGES UPDATE
In late 2023 Leeds City Council announced an intention to introduce parking charges in the Wilderness and Old Station car parks. This was met with considerable local opposition coordinated by Ward Councillor Alan Lamb.
The latest episode in this long-running story was the completion of a four-week public consultation exercise on 14th March. The results of that consultation have not yet been published and we await a final decision from LCC about the charges.
BUS SERVICES – X 98 and X99
Transdev has announced that the company will not be operating the X98 and X99 service after 30th August 2025. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) are currently seeking another operator to take over the routes and Transdev are working with them to ensure a smooth transition. Wetherby Ward Councillors Penny Stables, Alan Lamb and Norma Harrington are maintaining their efforts to ensure that the bus service is frequent, reliable and affordable. BW have been reassured that the X98/X99 service will continue to operate after 30th August.
APPOINTMENT OF WETHERBY TOWN MAYOR
Better Wetherby wishes to warmly congratulate Councillor Connor Mulhall on his appointment in May as the new Town Mayor.
At 26 years of age, he has become Wetherby’s youngest ever Town Mayor.
His Deputy will be Councillor Stuart Newcombe.
WETHERBY FESTIVAL – 3rd to 11th OCTOBER
An excellent programme for the annual Wetherby Festival in October has been organised.
Details and ticket prices will be publicised in the near future, but please do make a note of the dates!
‘DROVERS DAY’ – WETHERBY’S BRASS BAND MARCHING CONTEST – SUNDAY, 29th JUNE 2025
A great day of entertainment to look forward to on Sunday 29th June when Wetherby will celebrate the annual Drovers’ Day. This recalls the period when, for over 200 years, thousands of cattle were walked from gathering points in Scotland to markets in the south of England via Wetherby with its bridge and ford over the River Wharfe.
The event, organised by Wetherby Lions and Wetherby Riverside Bandstand Trust, will feature 20 brass bands from Derbyshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Northumberland. For over 4 hours, the bands will march and play through the town. There will also be Craft and Artisan markets in the Town Hall and the Market Place with hot food available. An event not to be missed.
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.
