A group of Wetherby Civic Society members make a weekly check of applications on the Leeds City Council website. The focus of attention is on proposals within the Town Center Conservation Area. If an application outside this area is significantly large or prominent regarding the character of the town, the Society may also make comment.
A Conservation Area is ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
Change is inevitable in most conservation areas and it is not the intention of the designation to prevent the continued evolution of places. The challenge within conservation areas is to manage change in a way that maintains, reinforces and enhances the special qualities of the area.
You can read more detail about Wetherby Conservation Area here.
Most applications cause no concern and are seen as positive development in a town that must continue to develop and progress. Others can be viewed as inappropriate and ill-fitting. Careful thought is given to how and why such applications might fail to meet planning criteria, what considerations & adjustments might be made and, when appropriate, an objection with the reasons is submitted to Leeds City Council.
Major Developments & Proposals
Better Wetherby Partnership seeks to draw together local groups and individuals in challenging inappropriate development in and around the town.
Large developments have long-term and lasting consequences both in the loss of green field areas surrounding the town and the consequential pressure put upon the town’s resources & facilities by a greatly expanded population.