Spofforth Park is the Bellway Homes residential development on Spofforth Hill, where Better Wetherby has been monitoring delays and issues relating to the landscape buffer, bridleway resurfacing and drainage problems. These works form part of Bellway’s planning conditions, required to mitigate environmental impact and maintain safe walking and cycling routes. Current concerns centre on incomplete resurfacing, drainage failures and accessibility problems.
Latest Update: 15 September 2025 – Public consultation deadline for Leeds City Council’s Call for Sites (including Site Ref LPS00369).
Kings Meadow View
Proposed Development
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Documents & References
Better Wetherby’s View
Our Position
Better Wetherby strongly opposes development on this site due to the risk of merging Wetherby (West Yorkshire) with Kirk Deighton (North Yorkshire), contravening National Planning policy.
BW highlights insufficient capacity in healthcare, education, public transport, and the loss of good agricultural land. Most critically, BWP’s hydrological evidence indicates development could disrupt natural drainage paths that feed the Kirk Deighton SAC/SSSI, threatening Great Crested Newt habitat and potentially causing pond desiccation.
BW’s position remains unchanged since 2017: this site should be rejected.
Key Issues & Evidence
Planning Context
Site previously subject to a Persimmon pre‑planning consultation in August 2017 (120 homes), attracting 200+ objections and significant local concern; no outcomes were ever provided to residents by Persimmon. Development would merge two distinct settlements, conflicting with the National Planning Policy Framework.
Highways & Transport
Low or non‑existent public transport, minimal rail/bus access, and no alignment with 20‑minute community principles. The site adjoins Harland Way, with active‑travel importance but no capacity improvements proposed.
Environment & Ecology
The development threatens: Great Crested Newt habitat within the Kirk Deighton SAC/SSSI. and Yellowhammers, a Red List species with enhanced protection. Hydrology analysis shows that site construction could interrupt natural drainage through limestone geology that feeds the SAC, risking drying/desiccation of breeding ponds. Evidence includes: Flawed Hydrological Report accepted by HBC & Natural England, northeasterly dip directing groundwater toward the SAC (contradicting developer data) and groundwater flooding areas near the SAC, contradicting developer claims.
Community Impact
Healthcare and education already at or exceeding capacity. Wetherby exceeds its 5‑year housing land supply; additional housing need not justified.
What this involves
Number/type of homes: 120 homes
Developer: Persimmon (initial proposer). Stockeld Estates linked via SAC hydrology discussions.
Timeline of events
Sept 2025
15 Sept 2025: Deadline for Leeds Call for Sites consultation for LPS00369 (127 homes).
2021
WKDCP & BW request updates from Persimmon; no reply received.
2019-2020
BW presents hydrology evidence during Stockeld/Hallam inquiry, highlighting groundwater flow to SAC.
Aug 2017
Persimmon pre‑planning consultation (120 homes), three‑week window, over 200 objections.