Christmas Lights Switch-On 2021
Saturday 4 December at 4:30pm at The Green, Horsforth
We're back!
After being cancelled last year (although we did have a fabulous virtual switch-on!), we are delighted to be back on The Green for our Christmas Lights Switch-On this year.
Come along and join in the carol singing with Joy Choir and a special performance by LS18 Rocks!
We have special guests coming from Leeds Rhinos and Santa has promised to pop in too!
Click here to see a pdf of the poster
Broadfields Ward - By-Election
Statement of Persons Nominated
Click here to view a pdf of the statement of persons nominated
Fake Advert for Bonfire Night
Please be aware that a fake advert has been put on the internet 'advertising' bonfire night parties around the UK, including Horsforth. There is no bonfire or party in Horsforth in 2021 so please ignore this if you see it online.
Notice of meetings
Updated notice of meetings for October - December 2021.
Click here to view a pdf of the notice.
To open a pdf of the notice, please click here
Electric Bike SchemeLeeds City Council have an electric bike trial scheme, where you can try out an electric bike and see if it's for you. There is a waiting list until March 2021 so now might be the ideal time to add your name. Full details of the electric bike trial scheme can be found here.
Good Citizen and Young Achiever Awards
Nominate the person you think has gone the extra mile or made a great achievement. You can download the form to complete by clicking on Application Forms on the left side menu.
Good Citizen Poster with Information on the Award
Young Citizen Poster with Information on the Award
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The CIL is a planning charge for developers and landowners which is used to support development of local infrastructure. Leeds City Council collects it and has to pay a proportion to the local communities where the development takes place.
Click here to find out more about CIL and to see the latest report on CIL income and expenditure.in Horsforth.
Horsforth Neighbourhood Plan
Horsforth Town Council would like to thank all those who came out to vote in support of the Neighbourhood Plan.The vote was 91.35% in favour of the plan.You can view the declaration of result notice here.
The adoption of the plan is a very positive outcome for Horsforth.
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Green spaces in Horsforth are special and
valuable. The NP contains policies that promote the retention of green spaces
and provides protection to some that are not otherwise protected. Some of the
boundaries of Horsforth are defined by becks. These watercourses and the
associated land adjacent to them are recognised in the NP as important
wildlife, amenity and recreation networks.
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There are a number of special buildings and
structures in Horsforth that have no protection within planning law at present.
These buildings and structures are given Non-Designated Heritage Status in the
NP. Some examples are the memorial boulder stone and lime trees on Stanhope
Drive, and the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
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Character areas, previously identified in the
Horsforth Design Statement, are confirmed and described in more detail
alongside specific requirements for any developments taking place within those
areas. This aims to ensure that new development fits in well with what is
already there.
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The four Conservation Areas (CA) in Horsforth
are recognised in the NP and in e.g. Horsforth Town Street CA, a specific
policy is introduced to indicate how shop front lighting should be, so that its
impact is managed, especially where it affects nearby residents.
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Three new local heritage areas are recognised.
The Brownberries and its associated buildings originating in the mid-18th
century, the Victorian and Edwardian villas of North Road and Scotland Lane,
and the “arts and craft” housing style of the 1930’s – 1950’s on upper West End
Lane and the Southway Estate. Any development in these areas must take the
style of these existing buildings into account.
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Leeds Development Plan has identified a number
of sites in Horsforth on which housing can be built. The NP identifies five of
these and specifically details requirements that must be considered when they
are developed. The largest of these sites is the former Horsforth (Park Lane)
Campus and its crucial location, feeding
traffic onto the A65 and Horsforth Roundabout.
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Having an NP will mean that the Town Council
(TC) attracts an additional 10% from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL - a
new-house tax). Currently the TC receives 15% of CIL. This will rise to 25%
once the plan is adopted by LCC. This money is to be spend of the provision of
community services.
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The NP recognises the need for housing provision
of particular type, and has a policy encouraging the provision of accommodation
specifically designed for the elderly and providing a mix of tenures; small
starter and family homes; and housing for independent living.
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The NP notes the predominance of hot food
takeaways in the town and seeks that these should not undermine the vitality
and viability of existing retail uses to meet day to day local shopping needs.
The NP recognises that a concentration of these might detrimentally impact on
the community in respect of amenity of the area and traffic generation, and in
evening opening, the effects (including parking and noise) on residential
accommodation.
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Parking in Horsforth can sometimes be a
nightmare as well as the impact of school time drop off and pick-ups. The NP
seeks to ensure the existing provision of both private and public car parks and
supports the provision of additional parking created at e.g. the Fink Hill Car
Park. Any new schools should include specific off-road drop-off and pick-up
areas. There is also a policy promoting improved cycling, walking and
equestrian routes.
These are a
small selection of the benefits of having a Neighbourhood Plan. The purpose of
the plan is to influence local planning in Horsforth when it comes to the green
environment, the built environment, employment and shopping, housing, community
facilities and services and traffic and transport. In particular the plan gives
local people a greater say in how the town will develop in the years up to
2028.
The Town
Council has requested, and Leeds City Council has agreed, that the date
for the Horsforth NP Referendum will be Thursday 27th February 2020.
All
those within the Horsforth Town Council area and on the Horsforth
Electoral Roll will be notified of the Referendum and directed to the
final Horsforth Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents.
You can see these documents
here.
The
Referendum will ask the simple question “Do you want Leeds City Council
to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Horsforth to help it decide planning
applications in the neighbourhood area?” A majority decision will adopt
the plan or not.
Good Citizen and Young Achiever Awards
Do you know any good citizens and young achievers from Horsforth who deserve this award? Horsforth Town Council wants your nomimations for 'Good Citizen and Young Achiever' for 2020.
The young achiever could be an amazing athlete, a creative artist or an excellent student. They may help within their community or be an inspirational carer.
The good citizen could be a volunteer, or someone going the extra mile at work – we want to know about anyone helping make a difference within their community.
Nomination forms for both categories can be downloaded here.
Community Infrastructure Levy
The Council has to lodge a report with Leeds City Council every year giving details of how much Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money it has received and spent. The report for 2018-19 has just been lodged.
More about CIL,what it is and the report for 2018-19 can be found by clicking on this link.
External Audit
The Council's Annual Governance and Accountability Return for 2018-19 has been reviewed by the external auditor.
More details and how to view the accounts can be seen by clicking on the "Annual Return" tab on the left or on this link.
Purchase of 3&5 The Green and The Stables
Update 27 February 2019: Council resolved to apply for approval to take out a loan of up to £290,000
Click here for link to full-sized poster
The agenda and report for this meeting is now available.
You can also download the business plan.
Please contact the office if you would like more information.
Goodbye to plastic cups
Horsforth Town Council is working towards stopping use of single-use plastics.
As a starting point, the Council has stopped using disposable plastic cups during its meetings - councillors will be bringing in their own cup or mug if they want a drink!
The Council would urge businesses and schools in Horsforth to think about how they can reduce their use of single-use plastics.