Aspiring Communities’ controversial plans to convert the former Ice Pak factory on Barkly Road in Beeston have been put on hold.
The Trustees of Aspiring Communities, who hope to create a multi-faith centre with sports and community facilities have issued the following statement:
“Having submitted the planning application for our site on Barkly Road, we were awaiting a decision from the Leeds City Council planning department. This was due in April, however after much thought and deliberation we have decided to withdraw our application.
“We have listened to the views and concerns of locals residents and Councillors. We have looked carefully through all the objections lodged with the planners. We will now reconsider our plans and modify them to allay people’s fears.
“We want to encourage as many people to come and use the facilities as possible. We will be holding further consultation in the near future and we want residents to help us shape our plans. We are hoping this will demonstrate our willingness for a compromise and our good faith. Whilst we appreciate, we cannot please everyone, we felt it important to show that we are prepared to listen and take other views into account. Once the amendments have been made, we will resubmit the planning application.”
Ash Mahmood from the group said that issues such as the minaret, the catering business, use of the rear access, the overall capacity of the buildings and car parking were all up for discussion.
David Congreve, Councillor for Beeston & Holbeck ward and a member of the South & West Plans Panel said:
“The application as it stood raised many issues amongst the community. The biggest issue was the amount of traffic it would bring into the area. It was quite unclear how the parking would be accommodated. The local roads are narrow, this is a residential area.
“I am pleased they thought fit to withdraw the application. Common sense has prevailed. I hope that if they resubmit a new application it will be on a much smaller scale.”
I am glad that Aspiring Communities have chosen to withdraw the application. I hope this site can be used for new homes as the land was originally marked for.
If Aspiring Communities do decide to re-submit an application, the public consultation must be better publicised so they can obtain a view from a wider selection of local residents.
My hopes are that they will decide against re-submitting due to the proposed sites impact on the local area in terms of traffic, pollution and danger to local children attending school in the vicinity of the site.
Hopefully a smaller scale project will prevail, something with far less potential traffic and parking. Something on the previous scale should be built away from residential areas .
I am so pleased that Aspiring Communities have chosen to withdraw the planning permission, unfortunately I feel that they chose to do this due to the negative report from Leeds City Council Transport Department which was published on the Council Planning website a day before the decision to withdraw, I do not feel it was anything do do with the the objections from the surrounding community, I feel that they knew that because of the negative report they were aware that planning permission would be refused, they are playing a very good waiting game, but the surrounding community can also play the waiting game, we do not want or need this “Community Centre” and we will fight this all the way!
It’s nice to hear the responses from the community, as I feel we should live together in harmony and create a better society, where we can bring up our children as model citizens regardless of faith, race and creed.
Having originally contributed to this project, I believe the local community is correct and their views and concerns should be taken into account by the board members of Aspiring Communities.
Having looked at the area of Beeston, it is understandable that there is no need for such a centre as there are existing centres such as John Charles Sport Centre, Hamara Community Centre and the local mosques and churches within the walking distance of Dewbury Road area.
My advice to Aspiring Communities is to look elsewhere in an area where there is a need for this facility, and to have an open forum where they can take on board ideas and concerns of the local community as they plan to provide a facility that will cater for the requirements for all communities.
However, I have the same concerns as Linda that Mr Ash Mahmood maybe buying time to lodge another planning application in the near future.
I have couple of questions for Mr Mahmood. I being revert, married to a muslim man and living on Cross Flats Grove believe in the integration of society – would like the barriers to be brought down that segregate our society. I support the centre if it provides support to the needs of the community but I afraid that Mr Mahmood will not be able to accommodate all religions as all members of Aspiring Communities are muslim and male. Since Aspiring Communities is stating the they will provide multi-faith centre – how come no non-muslim member or female members of the group have spoken on the behalf of their cause. Do they have any non-muslim members or female members?
Secondly, I’ve come to be aware that A.C. have another property on 114-116 Barkly Road formerly B & K Passmore Ltd. What’s the purpose of this property?
Will this property be converted to Multi-Faith or Islamic Centre?
Please explain the two purchases in close vicinity?
Hi Sara
Thank you for your comments. The charity set up a steering group which is mainly made up non-Muslims. So in relation to your concern, the charity will be able to accommodate people from other religions. We want to be able to work amicably and peacefully with the locals and one of our core objectives is the ‘advancement of communities’. We appreciate that people will always have their own views and opinions about certain issues.
In relation to the question you asked about the property on 114-116, yes Aspiring Communities does own this property. The property hasn’t been purchased to be converted into a Multi-Faith or any form of Islamic Centre.
Thank you for your questions
I have a question concerning the land that ice pack built on. For the deeds in our area most of the left side from Barkley Road to Wooler Avenue is council land or was in 1970. On the deeds it shows being a full street in width if you put the deeds map over google satellite view you can clearly see how much land has been taken off the councils. This is not the new owners fault at all this was something Ice Pack did but just making you aware of this as the community is wanting that land blocked off or it maintained by the council, like it was 30 years ago. As there is no lighting half the land has been taken and the rest is overgrown and is used for tipping and dealing drugs.
To Mr Maroof, if you have updated deeds this would be most helpful in getting the council to move off their behinds and clear that area up. Not sure if you are still watching this post but any help is welcomed.