Give us your views on the future of Leeds

Residents across Leeds are being invited to contribute to plans on how natural resources and waste in the city will be managed in the future.

The Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan will identify where land is needed to manage the city’s resources like minerals, energy, water and waste in the future. It will also identify actions and sites that will help us use our natural resources more efficiently.

The aim of the document is to:
• ensure the responsible use of natural resources such as minerals, water and energy;
• predict future pressures on resources, such as climate change and development, and plan for these by reducing flood risk, improving air quality and increasing renewable energy provision;
• ensure that sufficient sites are provided to enable us to manage our waste,
• increase waste recycling and processing so that less waste goes to landfill; and
• encourage more use of those resources that don’t run out, such as solar and wind energy.

The council is carrying out informal public consultation on the plan for six weeks from 18 January to 1 March 2010. Officers will be at the events listed below to hand out the documents and answer any queries or comments

Wednesday 20 January Kirkstall - Morrisons (10am – 2pm)
Tuesday 26 January Killingbeck - ASDA (10am – 2pm)
Thurs 28 January Crossgates Shopping Centre (10am – 2pm)
Friday 29 January Seacroft – Tesco (10am – 2pm)
Saturday 30 January Merrion Centre – Leeds city centre (10am – 2pm)
Tuesday 2 February Hunslet – Morrisons (10am – 2pm)
Friday 5 February Otley – Waitrose (10am – 2pm)
Wed 10 February Moor Allerton – Sainsbury (10am -2pm)
Thursday 11 February Headingley Library (10am – 2pm)
Saturday 23 February White Rose Centre (10am – 2pm)
Thursday 25 February Wetherby Library (10am – 2pm)

Councillor Andrew Carter, leader of the council and executive member for development, said:
“This important strategy will eventually provide us with a framework for managing the use of natural resources across the city.

“In these challenging times, it is important that we have a longer term planning strategy for the whole of Leeds, in order to demonstrate confidence and commitment to the city and its communities.

“The strategy has serious implications for future generations and, amongst many other things, will focus on the long term consequences of resource use, waste management and climate change. The consultation is an opportunity for all residents and interested parties to put forward their views and contributions, and I would urge them to do so.”

The results of the consultation will be taken into account as the council progresses the document towards the publication stage in late 2010, at which point there will be another chance to comment. Following examination by an independent inspector, it is anticipated that the plan will be adopted in 2011.

Comments and queries on the plan are welcomed, and can be submitted by email to nrwdpd@jacobs.com or by post to Natural Resources and Waste DPD, Jacobs UK, 1 City Walk, Leeds LS11 9DX. More information is available at www.leeds.gov.uk/ldf or you can call us on 0113 247 8075.

The full report and supporting documents can be viewed at the Development Enquiry Centre, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds LS2 8HD, Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5 pm, (Wednesdays 10am – 5pm) and at local libraries and one-stop centres across Leeds.

ENDS
Additional info
The Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan is part of the Local Development Framework, the new development plan for Leeds.

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk