Plans submitted to create new Thorp Arch village development

Plans have been submitted to Leeds City Council for the creation of a new village on the former Royal Ordnance Factory site at Thorp Arch near Wetherby.

Launched by St Congar Land on behalf of Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust, the application requests outline planning permission for up 874 residential units, a 66 bed care home, and the creation of a new local centre including a primary school and local amenities.

Called Rudgate Village, the development will also deliver a new country park, retain calcareous grasslands, a wildlife corridor and improvements to the Sustrans cycle route 665.

Situated in between the villages of Walton and Thorp Arch and close to Wetherby, the mixed-use development is planned for a 60 hectare brownfield site at the centre of the existing Thorp Arch estate, which currently supports approximately 4,000 jobs.

The proposals have been informed by an extensive pre-application process, engaging with Leeds City Council, local parish councillors and stakeholders, and members of the public.

Tony Blackburn, director at St Congar Land, said: “Having listened to feedback on the previous applications and feedback from the most recent public exhibition and working closely with Leeds City Council’s planning and ecology officers, we have delivered plans for a highly sustainable village community.

“The plans address key concerns by preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats and providing a wide range of housing solutions for the whole community, including much needed affordable housing.

“We believe that the high-quality design approach for the delivery of the village, combined with the focus on green spaces, will bring large parts of this former ordnance works back into the public domain and help to satisfy some of Leeds’ housing requirement in the Outer North East of the city.”