Leeds councillors round-up: East Leeds public inquiry, City of Leeds school and Pudsey parking

Local councillors have backed a decision to re-open a public inquiry into a proposed new homes development in East Leeds. The public inquiry was initially opened by a government-appointed inspector earlier this year to look into a planning appeal by housing developers, Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey, following the Council's refusal to allow them to build 500 homes on a green field site at Grimes Dyke on York Road. However, a decision by the inquiry was postponed following a change in national policy which withdrew the requirement for local councils to follow national house-building targets and effectively devolved jurisdiction on these matters back to local councils. Cross Gates and Whinmoor Labour councillor Peter Gruen , along with Leeds Council, successfully persuaded the Secretary of State that this change in policy had implications for what had already been established by the inquiry and that it should therefore be re-opened using the new criteria. Gruen said: "I have been sufficiently convinced by the strong feeling among local residents on this particular case. In my view, new housing developments should not be considered on green field sites like Grimes Dyke until all possible brown field sites have been fully explored. "The re-opening of the public inquiry into this case is welcomed as it will allow the council to demonstrate that there is currently adequate provision of brown field sites to build new homes on without considering green field sites. "I want to assure concerned local residents that, upon the re-opening of this inquiry, my ward colleagues and I will be doing all we can to ensure that the council puts across the strongest possible case to ensure that the Grimes Dyke site is not used for this proposed development." CIty of Leeds School turnaround welcomed Liberal Democrat Hyde Park and Woodhouse councillor Penny Ewens has congratulated pupils and staff at City of Leeds School on their hard work and success during ther past school year - despite the threat of closure hanging over the school . GCSE results showed a significant improvement from last year. 25% of pupils achieved five A*-C grades including English and Maths, double last year's total of 12%. BTEC results are expected to be just as good when they are published shortly. Ewens welcomed the results as a vindication of the efforts of local campaigners including parents, staff, students and local residents groups to keep the school open. She said: "This is a terrific set of results for City. My warmest congratulations go out to all the pupils and staff who made it happen. "It's particularly impressive that they've achieved this with the threat of closure hanging over the school for much of the academic year. "It shows that the fight to secure the school's future was worthwhile, despite the insistence of Ofsted and Leeds City Council that it should close. I know that parents, governors and staff all have big ambitions for City of Leeds and there is a long way to go, but this is an important step along the way." More parking for Pudsey town centre shoppers A Pudsey Labour councillor has backed council plans to introduce more short-stay town centre car parking for shoppers in Pudsey. Proposals have been unveiled this week by the council's highways department to transform Pudsey's Lidget Hill car park into a short-stay parking facility in response to calls from local residents for the town centre to cater more for short-stay visitors. Speaking in support of these measures local councillor, Richard Lewis is hopeful that the creation of 85 short-stay parking spaces will address the parking balance in Pudsey and give greater provision and choice of parking for everyone. Lewis said: "It is important to strike the right balance in the town centre between short-stay and long-stay parking, ensuring there is adequate parking provision for shoppers who come into the town centre who only need to park for a couple of hours. "The proposed two-hour parking restrictions will free up 85 short-stay parking spaces which will hopefully meet peoples expectations to have more convenient places to park close to the shops. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and remain flexible should people feel that further changes need to be made. "In the meantime, there is still adequate long-stay parking facilities available at Pudsey Leisure Centre and Robin Lane car park." The two-hour maximum stay limit would apply between 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday New All Weather Pitch for Farsley School Leeds City Council has paved the way for the laying of an all weather pitch at Farsley's Priesthorpe School by approving £350,000 worth of funding for the project. The construction of the pitch is part of a wider remodelling project at the school, with the funding for the pitch dependent on the school continuing to provide two hours of high quality physical education every week for each pupil. As part of the remodelling scheme new changing rooms have been built that are already in use. Designed in conjunction with Sport England, the pitch will also be available for use by the local community when not being used by the school. Conservative Calverley and Farsley councillor Andrew Carter said: "I'm delighted that this funding has been made available. The pitch is great news for this popular school, and will also be a great resource for the wider community. "It is pleasing that we can help promote a healthy lifestyle for local people of all ages, who, as well as enjoying participating in sports can improve their health, which in turn reduces pressure on the NHS and other hard-pressed services." The £350,000 funding comes from the Department of Culture Media and Sport as part of the Specialist Sports Colleges Facilities capital grant. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below. You can find out more information about Leeds Council and your local councillors at Openly Local . You can email issues to your local councillor via the My Society section on our homepage . Or you can report local problems through our Fix My Street section here .