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What's New Archive for 2015
10 September 2015 With regard to the appeal to the Department of the Environment concerning the planning application by M Tojagic and the Diocese of Leeds to build 13 houses on two fields adjoining Gledhow Valley Road. Application 14/04524/OT. The developers have produced a report which is extremely dismissive of the 500 objections that were received. They have tried to refute the reasons for refusal of planning permission, suggesting that "the existing site doesn't make a positive contribution to the character of the Conservation Area", that "the proposed development will enhance the character of the site and not harm existing views", that "public transport accessibility is good, within 6 mins, and the footpaths are all with made surfaces, maintained and adopted by Leeds City Council". The facts are that the footpath on that side of Gledhow Valley Road is not adopted or maintained by Leeds City Council. The development site is situated at the bottom of a very steep valley with the nearest public transport links being on Harrogate Road (1km north along Gledhow Valley Road) or Brackenwood Drive (0.5km away eastwards up the side of Gledhow Valley). Both routes involve climbing significant inclines along unlit or poorly lit pathways and are unsuitable for those with impaired mobility or parents with young children. The site is comparatively isolated encouraging the use of private motor vehicles. A very brisk walk through the wood, up 30 very steep steps, then through the Brackenwood Estate can get a fit unencumbered person to a bus stop on Brackenwood Drive in 8 mins. A brisk walk, using a slightly better graded route, involving 47 steps takes 9 mins to Brackenwood Drive. Both these routes involve unmade surfaces, that have unlit sections, and the terrain is rough in parts. A flat walk along Gledhow Valley Road to Harrogate Road takes over 10 minutes. All existing objections will be considered in the appeal process, but you might wish to comment further, especially if you didn't mention in your original objection, the only two reasons for refusal of planning permission by Leeds City Council Planning Services in their Delegation Report: These two points are from the report as follows:
To comment on this appeal, use this link, before 22 September 2015: Then click on "Make representation" in the top right corner, then "Save and Continue", in the bottom right corner, then fill in your details, "Save and Continue" and fill in your comments. You can also write, quoting their reference number (APP/N4720/W/15/308726), enclosing 3 copies, to: Planning Inspectorate Comments must be received by 22 September 2015. Thanks for your continued support,
12 July 2015 The Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods' 16th Annual Family FunDay was very successful, and once again we were very lucky with the weather - especially considering that at one point the event was even in danger of being cancelled due to the extremely bad forecasts. Hundreds of local people came to join in the fun, and photos can be seen in the Events Gallery. As always, we would like to say a very big "thank you" to everyone who helped... those who spent hours assembling tents all morning; those who provided home-made food for the refreshments tent and prizes for the raffle and tombola; those who helped run the stalls and activities, and sold raffle tickets; those who helped pack everything away at the end of the day; and the many local businesses which generously donated raffle prizes. Without this help the event would not have been possible. Details of what happened at the FunDay, including photographs and a 360 degree panorama of the event in full swing are now available in the Events Gallery.
10 July 2015 Thanks to public support we received 1,328 votes for our Meadow Regeneration scheme and were lucky enough to secure a £1, 000 grant from the Aviva Community Fund. Thank you very much to everyone who voted for us - the results were very close so every vote counted. Read more on the Aviva Community Fund web site
22 Jun 2015 FGVW would like to create a wildflower meadow on the open area of land between the carriageway and the lake. This area was once grassland and before that presumably meadow land so we are either restoring or creating a meadow. Our first meadow at the other end of the lake is thriving and flowers from April to October, with different species coming to the fore at different times. It has been a great success as it is often alive with a variety of insects. We have the promise of a grant for the new meadow, but for our application to succeed we need to show support from the community, saying that they think it is a good idea together with a few reasons why. Wildflower meadows have declined drastically, by around 97% since the 1930's. To help we can either stop destroying them, restore existing ones or create new ones. If you agree that restoring/creating a wildflower meadow is a good idea, please e-mail us with a brief message of support. Some suggestions for saying why it's a good idea are shown below, but you can put whatever you like:
Please send your messages to martin.calvert1@sky.com by 26 June 2015.
21 Jun 2015 FGVW has been voted "Best Team/Club" in the 2015 CARA Chapel Allerton Community Awards. We were also a finalist in the "Contribution to the Community" section. A huge thank you to CARA (@CaraChapelA) and everyone who helped us win. Visit the CARA web site for more information...
01 Jun 2015 The Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods invite you to their 16th Annual Family FunDay! The FunDay brings local people together for an afternoon of fun, activities and entertainment focussing on the local woodland and the plants and wildlife that live there. There are loads of displays, activities, games and entertainments to keep the whole family busy, not to mention home-made refreshments and live music! When & where:
Activities include:
Please can you help? We badly need volunteers who can help out on the FunDay either by bringing food for the refreshments stall, helping to put up the tents and marquees in the morning, or helping to look after the stalls or sell raffle tickets in the afternoon.
It doesn't matter if you can only spare an hour ...all help will be gratefully appreciated! Have a look in the Events Gallery to find out what happened at last year's Family FunDay.
04 May 2015 FGVW has applied for an Aviva Community Fund grant of £1, 000 and we need your help. Our project to create a wildflower meadow is listed on the Aviva Community Fund website and you can vote for us up to 10 times. Projects with the most votes will be awarded the grants.
07 January 2015 Happy New Year! The FGVW Annual General Meeting is to be held on Friday 23 January 2015 (7.30pm onwards). Please note that the AGM is held to receive annual reports and to elect officers only. Other business is dealt with at our regular Core Group meetings. The Three Hulats Pub (13 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton) has kindly agreed to host the meeting once again. Food will be provided, and all are welcome to attend. The positions of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are open for voting, but nominations for these posts must be received before the day. As space is limited it would be helpful to know who is attending so please, if possible, contact us to let us know you're coming.
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