16/09/2025
As you know, Leeds City Council is preparing its new Local Plan, which sets out land allocations for future development. Within this plan, two potential housing sites in Walton have been identified: LPS00660 and LPS00296.
To ensure the views of the community were heard, the Parish Council held an extraordinary meeting on 4th August 2025, attended by nearly 50 residents, and a public drop-in session on 30th August 2025. These events gave parishioners the opportunity to review the proposals and provide feedback.
We are very grateful for the strong level of participation. More than 40 feedback forms were received, and the views expressed were clear. On the basis of this consultation, the Parish Council has formally objected to the inclusion of both sites in the Local Plan.
Our objection is based on the following key points:
Scale of development – Walton currently has 88 homes. With 15 dwellings already under construction at Springs Lane and four more at Walnut Farm, this will rise to 107 (a 20% increase). The proposed Local Plan sites would add a further 108 homes, doubling the size of the village and undermining its historic ‘Croft and Toft’ character, which the Neighbourhood Plan seeks to protect.
Infrastructure and drainage – The village is already facing drainage problems, with no agreed solution in place. These issues, together with limited road capacity, would be worsened by major additional development.
Wider housing provision – The nearby Swinnow Park development in Wetherby will deliver 762 homes and already makes a significant contribution to Leeds’ housing targets in our area.
Neighbourhood Plan commitments – Walton is meeting the growth identified in its adopted Neighbourhood Plan, which was strongly supported by residents. Once those commitments are delivered, the Parish Council will review the plan in due course to consider future needs.
In summary, the Parish Council has lodged a formal objection with Leeds City Council, reflecting both resident feedback and the limitations of the village to accommodate such a large-scale expansion.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the meetings, shared their views, and helped to shape the Council’s response. We will continue to keep you updated as the Local Plan progresses.
Walton Parish Council