Leedslive has reported on a stand-off between Boston Spa residents and the Church of England, which has come to an end after Leeds City Council decision-makers voted against plans for a new housing development in the village.
Leedslive writes:
The Diocese of York wanted to redevelop a vicarage and build another six houses on land it owns off High Street in Boston Spa, as it claims its current 19th-century vicarage building has fallen into a poor state of repair. But campaigners and a local councillor told a meeting of Leeds City Council’s north and east plans panel that such a development could create chaos on the area’s roads, and did not provide the types of houses needed…
Cllr Alan Lamb (Con, Wetherby) said: ‘There have been no discussions with ward members or the parish council or the public. It is totally contrary to the neighbourhood plan. The highways concerns will be very difficult to address and haven’t been addressed in the app. This is the wrong housing mix. Boston Spa has contributed more than its fair share to the city’s housing needs. We surely should be looking to have the very best standards of design and the needs of the community. Anything else would be a betrayal of the people…’
Campaigner Andrew Dawson added: ‘The application goes against the Boston Spa local plan…’
David Sharry, speaking on behalf of the Diocese, told the meeting: ‘For centuries the Church has been concerned with the viability of its estate. [The vicarage} a listed building that dates from the early 19th century. It has an incongruous mix of Georgian and Victorian windows. The diocese has struggled to maintain the vicarage to the standard it would have wished…. This is a… thoughtfully designed scheme.’
English Heritage had lodged an objection to the plans, speaking out against alterations to the wall, open space, and the design of the new houses. It was put to a vote of the panel, who resolved to reject the application.
