Extending from
the northern edge of the Lower Aire Valley to the north-eastern tip of Leeds
MD, the East Leeds Management Area is characterised by distinctive landscape
and countryside features. These features reflect a range of issues faced as a
consequence of urban pressures upon the countryside together with change within
the countryside itself over a relatively compact geographical area. Two
sub-areas can therefore be identified; these comprise the eastern urban fringe
of Leeds and the eastern Limestone Belt.
Through the
outer communities of Austhorpe, Colton, Cross Gates, Halton, Manston, Seacroft,
Stanks, Swarcliffe, Temple Newsam, Whinmoor and Whitkirk, the fringe of urban
east Leeds exerts a strong influence upon the adjoining countryside. This is a
consequence not only of urban fringe pressures but also because of the
strategic function of the area in land use planning terms. As part of the Leeds
UDP and in the context of major road proposals, East Leeds has been identified
as a key area with development potential to contribute towards housing and
employment requirements within the district.
Associated
with the eastern urban fringe of Leeds and adjacent to the Lower Aire Valley is
the 1,200 acre estate parkland of Temple Newsam. This area represents a key
recreational resource containing an historic house with extensive formal
gardens and a nationally important Rare Breeds farm attracting in the region of
1 million visitors a year. The City Council provides a ranger service and the
park itself contains reclaimed farmland formerly used for opencasting with
extensive deciduous woodland. An important aspect of Temple Newsam also is its
`gateway' role in providing access opportunities to countryside beyond the
urban fringe.
A distinctive
feature of the Leeds Countryside as a whole and of regional significance is a
belt of magnesian limestone stretching north-south from the Vale of York to the
east of the district. This gives rise to a landscape of rolling, fertile
farmland, well wooded parks, crossed by dry valleys. This limestone belt is
characterised within east Leeds by areas of productive large-scale arable
farming, often open with few features such as hedgerows or hedgerow trees.
Associated with this are regular blocks of planted mixed woodland, which make
up the estate parklands of Bramham, Parlington and Ledsham. The limestone belt
also supports a rich and diverse flora which contributes to the distinctive
character of the landscape.
The settlement
pattern within the eastern limestone belt is varied and includes villages,
market towns (such as Wetherby) and dormitory settlements. Within the Garforth
area a number of settlements relate their origins to coalfield activities and
are undergoing economic change as a consequence of the closure of deep mines in
the area.
The eastern
limestone belt currently offers a number of opportunities for recreation. To
the east of the A1, Lotherton Hall is a small Edwardian country estate which is
intensively farmed, the house, bird garden and associated facilities attracting
approximately 400,000 visitors each year. A series of long-distance and
circular footpath routes (limestone walks) are located within the area but
access opportunities are restricted to some extent by private and
self-contained parkland estates.
Area
Initiatives
Management of East Leeds comprises a range of smaller scale projects and
initiatives, rather than a single initiative covering the whole of the area.
The area south of the Leeds-York railway line is targeted as part of the Forest
of Leeds initiative. The City Council is active also in promoting long-distance
and circular footpath routes within the area along with the Parish Paths
Partnership at Barwick-in-Elmet and Wetherby. The Countryside Commission is
active within the area also through the promotion of the Countryside
Stewardship Scheme in relation to the Magnesian Limestone grasslands. In
addition, other regional and national initiatives, including the Parish Paths
Project and Rural Action, also apply.
Management
Strategy
The focus of the Management Strategy within east Leeds is upon addressing urban
fringe pressures to the east of the city and upon issues associated with more
rural areas.
Recreation
- In the
context of major land use proposals for urban east Leeds, ensure that existing
and potential opportunities for Nature Conservation and access to the
countryside are maintained and secured through the retention and creation of
habitats and footpath networks, along with the provision of facilities for
recreation.
- In
complementing existing facilities and attractions for recreation and tourism
within the area, support the development of additional facilities where they
safeguard the viability of farm holdings and are not contrary to landscape and
Green Belt policy objectives.
Landscape
- Ensure that
landscape proposals associated with major development within urban east Leeds
are set in the context of a wider framework to create opportunities for Nature
Conservation and Wildlife Corridors, in enhancing the setting of the urban edge
and the countryside.
- Safeguard the
landscape character of the area through measures to Conserve, Conserve/Restore,
Restore and Restore/Enhance the existing character in appropriate
locations.
- Encourage the
take-up of grant aid initiatives to manage and restore landscape features and
habitats.
Nature
Conservation
- In the
construction of the M1/A1 link and East Leeds Radial, secure opportunities to
establish Wildlife Corridors through associated landscaping schemes and that
access links to the countryside for recreation are not impaired or severed by
the routes of the highways.