Residential Scheme Falls Through in Scholes

A residential scheme proposed by David Wilson Homes will not be taken forward. The proposed scheme, valued at £190 million, would have created 200 jobs and delivered 860 new homes in the village of Scholes, on the eastern outskirts of Leeds.

The submitted plan also called for a new primary school and an array of community facilities, including recreation and play areas. However, after two years of consultation, planning, and discussion between Leeds City Council, Barratt Developments, and David Wilson Homes, an appeal for the use of the land has been withdrawn.

Complaints from residents were raised during the consultation period. They were concerned that Scholes, which has a history that can be traced back 800 years, would be changed beyond recognition, effectively doubling in size. Campaigning groups, Save our Scholes and Scholes Independence Group, were formed to protest the proposal.

It has been agreed that a much smaller scheme must be worked out for the village. With the Leeds Core Strategy calling for 70,000 new homes between 2012 and 2028, Scholes is still likely to play a small part in alleviating the shortfall of housing.

Ian Ruthven, managing director at Barratt Development Yorkshire West, said: “Given our interests across Leeds, and as one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, we will form an integral part of delivering the ambitious housing growth proposed by Leeds City Council within the Site Allocations Plan (SAP).

“As we have proven on recent schemes within the City, we remain committed to building high quality homes and communities in full collaboration with the Authority and the local community.”

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