I’m proud to have stood shoulder to shoulder with Wordsworth Drive and Sugar Hill Close residents throughout the long campaign to save their homes. This year will see a decision made whether the planning application goes ahead or not, which could be in the coming months. It’s wrong that residents were put in this limbo in the first place. It’s wrong that a private landlord has such power over tenants, many of whom have little or no rights. It’s wrong that people’s homes and part of our area’s heritage are under threat of demolition.

I put in my strong objection to the planning application soon after it was first lodged, and also submitted a more recent objection due to developments.  This whole issue is very close to my heart. There is a long standing link through previous Labour councillors and the shared history of the local pits and Labour activism. Residents have suffered over a long period due to Pemberstone and it isn’t right. The residents know that I’m fighting the planning application all the way, and will continue to do alI can on their behalf:

I’ve backed residents in various ways, I’ve worked closely with the Save Our Homes group throughout the campaign to come up with ideas and support the group to fight the demolition of their homes. Made sure a deputation of residents could speak at full council and I’ve spoken at full council in support of residents’ plight.

I organised for a lawyer to come to the estate to speak to the action group of residents to get initial legal advice.  I brought Chris Kitchen from the NUM to the estate, secured involvement from the National Union of Mineworkers.

It was a sight to behold residents marching to ‘Save our Homes’ through Rothwell. I Organised the march with residents and the NUM and proudly marched with the National Union of Mineworkers, residents of the estate, local community groups and the Rothwell Labour Party.

I brought the executive board member twice and Director of Housing and Communities to the estate to talk with residents. I’ve helped to secure media coverage on numerous occasions. Supported residents at meetings including when Pemberstone finally agreed to meet with residents.

As chair of the Outer South Community Committee, brought the issue to the agenda where the committee has put in its own objection to the planning application in support of residents as a formal committee of the council.  The committee also reiterated the request I and residents already made to the council to look into the possibility of buying the homes on the estate. Albeit with budget cuts, the council is cash strapped and depending on the planning decision, the land value would sky rocket if planning permission did get granted.

Together, we’ve made sure the pressure on Pemberstone is kept up to the maximum.  The residents group have done a fantastic job and have been courageous in fighting this together all the way. They have put a tremendous amount of work into the campaign on behalf of other residents.  I will be speaking at the plans panel in favour of residents and with a view to getting the planning application turned down at the planning meeting and will continue to speak with colleagues on the plans panel about the injustices that local people have faced and continue to face

We must stick to the goal. Together we can win this.

Cllr Karen Bruce and the Rothwell extra care group visiting other extra care schemes like Yew Tree Court

Great news for Rothwell as it has been confirmed that we are to get a new extra care housing complex.

Leeds City Council has appointed a delivery partner to build and run the new extra care home in Rothwell, which will be built at Windlesford Green on Holmsley Lane. The new partner was appointed after a rigorous procurement process and is made up of a group of social enterprises and commercial companies with specialist expertise in providing homes and care for the elderly.

The new care home is a relatively new type of home called ‘extra care’ which means that people can live independently in their own small homes on site while benefiting from specialist 24-hour care and support on site. Some have two bedrooms and couples can still live together in their own apartment when one may need care. The extra care home in Rothwell is one of just four new homes in Leeds. One of the other three is also relatively local as it is in the next door Ardsley and Robin Hood ward.

Building work on the four new extra care housing schemes will start towards the end of this year and all four homes will be open and taking residents by spring 2021. The new extra care home will provide homes for people with care needs, as well as shared facilities such as dining, activities and on-site access to 24/7 emergency and unplanned care.

The new extra care home is the result of years of work by me and a community involvement group that I set up to support the project. The involvement and enthusiasm of our extra care community involvement group ensured that Rothwell was one of the four wards picked for a new home as many areas in Leeds were also lobbying for new extra care homes.

I’ve been impressed with the passion and commitment of the Rothwell extra care group members and thank them for helping to make this possible. As part of the work we did, we visited two existing extra care schemes to help us understand how they could help local people.

I was impressed that people can have a proper home, with bedroom/s, living room, kitchen, bathroom etc but still benefit from excellent support and healthcare. Today many people don’t want to live in a traditional care home where they only have a small bedroom. Extra care means they have more space and somewhere private to welcome friends and family. It helps them to maintain their independence and remain healthier for longer.

The input of the Rothwell extra care community group helped inform the council’s tender process. It means that a key aspect of the new care home will be a community link aspect with a vision for an open inclusive space where older people living in the home can come together with people in the wider community, to provide a hub where community social activities, dining, coffee and more can take place rather than be isolated in a closed off care home.

The delivery partner is made up of the Home Group, Ashley House and Morgan Ashley. The Home Group is a social enterprise and one of the UK’s largest housing associations providing homes to more than 116,000 people. Ashley House specialises in delivering health and community-based construction projects, while Morgan Ashley is its specialist finance joint venture company with investment company Morgan Sindall.

The scheme is in the very early stages and the wider community as well as the Rothwell extra care group will be consulted and have your say before plans are submitted for approval.

I’m looking forward to seeing this great new addition for Rothwell.

Great news for younger children as the first phase of the new Springhead Park playgrounds, the toddler playground for children ages one to seven, is set to start work week commencing 4 February, weather permitting.

It’s fantastic that work on the younger children’s playground at Rothwell Springhead Park is set to start. It’s great when a project I’ve worked hard on for ages finally happens.

The start date comes after it was announced earlier that the £39,000 of funding was confirmed from Veolia to compliment the £50,000 funding earmarked by the Rothwell Labour councillors earlier for the toddler playground and £40,000 on some new equipment for the older children’s playground.

Having initiated the plans for the playground, I’ve been keen to make it happen as quickly as possible.  It’s been a priority for me and I know a lot of residents for a long time for new playgrounds for Rothwell Springhead Park. When myself and my former ward councillor colleague David Nagle asked residents what they wanted S106 green space monies from recent developments spending on play equipment was at the top of the list.

So many local children, including my daughter, have loved playing on the current playgrounds over the years and have fond memories, but as time goes on much of the equipment needs replacing as it becomes worn.

I’m keen to see more dynamic and challenging pieces of equipment for older children, such as zip wire and other popular equipment. This will be the next phase in improving our park this summer.

Outdoor play is great for children. Playing outside helps children to develop their learning abilities. Outdoor play is great for encouraging children’s creativity. There are numerous health benefits to playing outside. Other benefits to local children include social skills, well-being, independence and exploration.

It will be great to see local younger children enjoying their new playground this spring with their parents, grandparents and carers!

Have your say on the blight of HS2 through Woodlesford and Oulton

– deadline for consultation Friday 21 December 2018.

As the deadline approaches for the HS2 consultation I thought it was vital to remind local people how important it is that you respond and tell HS2 and this government what you think!

We all knew that HS2 would bring devastation to our area, but these latest documents really spell out the level of disruption that would come to the area.

Respond to the environmental consultation at:

Online: www.ipsos.uk/environment2b

Email: environment2b@ipsos-mori.com

Post: FREEPOST HS2 PHASE 2B ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTATION

I have put in my own strong objection and comments to this consultation. I can’t support HS2 and the chaos it would bring coming through Woodlesford and Oulton and have done the same since the HS2 journey began responding to all the consultations and lobbying on behalf of local people.  As your elected representative for Rothwell I am against HS2 bringing a huge blight to Woodlesford and Oulton. I will always do what I think is best for our area. I urge you to respond to the consultation as the impact on Woodlesford and Oulton will be huge and far reaching.

I have been one of the voices arguing from the start and am continuing to argue that the route should be moved away from Woodlesford so that it doesn’t impact on as many people and a whole village. It’s disappointing and unacceptable that Chris Grayling, continues to ignore the wishes of local people and isn’t good enough.   I’ve also lobbied for the council’s response to highlight the blight on local people and demand a better deal for residents.

Just some of the points I’ve stated in brief which you may consider using in your response, (a more detailed summary can be found on the SoWhat group website sowhat.org.uk):

Health impacts – disturbance of old landfill and mining sites which are likely to contain asbestos and lead.

Air pollution – More traffic and dust, HS2 not planning to monitor.

Noise and vibration – During construction and even through the night, disturbing and possibly harmful. Thresholds set too high by HS2.

Well-being – Residents have already suffered stress and anxiety due to the limbo and worry which will only rise when construction gets underway.

Proximity – Construction compounds too close to homes including in Woodlesford.

Homeowners – Unfair compensation package, too many hoops to jump through and most will not be eligible for compensation but many will be impacted by house prices and inability to sell.

Flooding and subsidence – Untold what the impact of construction will be on flooding and home insurance.

Major impact on local traffic – There will be major local road closures which will force traffic onto already congested routes causing gridlock. Hundreds of workers will travel to and from construction sites.

Train station closures – Woodlesford station would have closure/s for an unknown period of time, whether it would be totally closed or closed at weekends it will cause major further disruption.

Business – No compensation for businesses or landlords even though they will be impacted negatively due to closures.

Green space decimated – Most of Water Haigh Woodland Park will be used for construction. There will be an unacceptable loss of woodland, parks and green belt. This will harm local wildlife. Changes to the local landscape will be adverse and unacceptable.

The blight of our villages from this huge engineering project cutting straight through them is too much for these quiet villages to take and underneath are riddled with old mine shafts which I don’t believe has been taken proper account of.

What we really need  investment in is a HS3 connecting the north.  Chris Grayling has already wobbled on his commitment on this leg of the scheme and a lot of people would be suprised if HS2 actually made it this far north. We need to let the government and HS2 know that we do not want HS2 tearing through our local villages.  If HS2 does happen it should not come through Woodlesford and Oulton. A more direct tunnelled route, or a route following the existing transport corridors would be cost neutral in comparison to the complex viaduct and tunnel construction proposed.  I am strongly lobbying for compensation to be available to all those impacted.

I understand the frustrations that local people have. The fact is all the main parties are in support of HS2. However, it is the current Conservative government and the previous coalition government of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that are responsible for the route, the compensation and the management of the consultation which has been abysmal.

It is important that all local people have their say.  We’re all really busy especially at this time of year, but lets not let that deter us all from commenting. It only needs to be brief to drive home to this government and HS2 the impacts on our communities.

You can see some of my previous statements on HS2 here:

14 March 2017 | Karen Bruce and David Nagle can’t support HS2 blighting Woodlesford and Oulton

9 February 2016 | Listen to us call from village on HS2 line as floods warn of potential havoc

23 September 2015 | New council leader meets with HS2 Woodlesford residents

30 October 2014 | Letter to residents near government’s proposed HS2 route

22 October 2014 | Latest HS2 announcement shows government contempt for Rothwell, Woodlesford and Oulton

3 October 2013 | Support for HS2 SoWhat campaign for possible re-route and better compensation

24 July 2013 | HS2 Ltd visit area to see devastation of planned route

19 February 2013 | HS2 and Transport secretary show contempt for local people

16 February 2013 | HS2 route through Woodlesford comes as ‘bolt out of the blue’ for residents and councillors