Welcome

Bramham House Ltd would like your feedback on new proposals for approximately 40 new homes at the Bramham House site.

Since the previous application submitted to Leeds City Council was refused in early 2024, the project team has been collaborating closely with the council in developing a fresh approach to proposals for the site. We are now pleased to present the results of that work.

Please take the opportunity to review our website and have your say by completing a feedback survey. All feedback is appreciated, and we thank you for your time and considered thoughts, which will be reviewed as part of our design process prior to a planning application being submitted.

Simpson, Vincent & Partners and Re-form landscape architecture

Site history

Bramham House was built in 1806 by local vicar Robert Bownas and later owned by the local Lane Fox family. Historical maps show the formality of the approach and landscaped setting within a variety of routes through the site. After being sold to West Riding County Council following the second world war, the site was used as a children’s home (closed in the 1980s) and ambulance station (closed in 2008).

Previously Consented Scheme (18/01609/FU)

Previously Refused Scheme (23/07093/FU)

Planning history

The site is allocated for housing by Leeds City Council, with a ‘Planning and Development Brief’ prepared and approved in 2001, and updated in 2010 and 2015.

Planning approval was granted in February 2020 for a care-led scheme by another developer which included a care home, close-care houses and apartments and 10 detached houses.

Planning was refused in February 2024 for a residential scheme comprised of 23 houses and 33 apartments.

The design team have since worked closely with Leeds City Council through the pre-application process to develop the designs presented today.

Site Constraints & Viability

Heritage

Bramham House is in a state of dereliction and is unsafe.
Opportunity to revive heritage value of the site and notably the house itself.
Potential to contribute to the character of the Conservation Area.

Landscape

Extensive tree coverage limits developable area.
Extensive tree coverage also provides fantastic amenity for any potential development.
Potential to improve ecological value of existing landscape.

Levels

Existing retaining structures on site to either repair or replace.
Level changes limit developable area and complicate construction.
Level changes also add interest and character to the site.

We are currently in discussions with Homes England around funding and viability for developing this site.

Due to the site specific complications involved, c.£4.5-5 million in abnormal costs are anticipated to deliver the scheme shown below.

The Proposals

Following the most recent planning application being refused by Leeds City Council, we have been working with Officers on a new approach to proposals for the site. The redesigned plans feature:

Bramham House reconstructed as apartments
A reduction in the overall number of properties
A new approach to the appearance of the properties, closely referencing the local vernacular
A new access into the site from a widened Freely Lane
A reduction in overall tree removal
Extensive landscaping and improved accessibility across the site

Key Development Objectives

Landscape-led design that incorporates and reinforces the elegant approach to and setting of Bramham House.
Retention of the main elevation to Bramham House with its high quality stone detailing and importance to the heritage of the site. Proposals to preserve the relationship between this facade and the approach to it.

Lodge House

Typical Detached House Type

Typical Townhouse

Bramham House - Reconstructed Elevation

Landscaping and Connectivity

The revised site layout provides new opportunities for creation of public, semi-private and private spaces.

New trees will be planted and managed woodland areas will be established to improve the contribution of the site to wider ecological and amenity aims.

The outdoor spaces will provide space for residents to engage with the outdoors and the attractive woodland setting of the site, as well as provide benefits to the wider Bramham community in respect of pedestrian connectivity and play.

A key change from previous proposals for the site is the provision of a fully pedestrianised new ‘village green’ in front of Bramham House to better respect the heritage of the site.

Highways and Transport

Following discussion with Leeds City Council, the revised plans now include:

Widening Freely Lane to two car passing width from the southern site access priority junction. This will enable free flowing of existing and proposed traffic, mitigating any development impact.
Creating a new footpath along Freely Lane between the play area, public park and pavilion. The proposed route would be separated from the road by a grass verge and fencing. This will provide a more pleasant pedestrian route along Freely Lane with improved safety and avoidance of multiple road crossings.
A new priority junction access from the southern area of residential development to Freely Lane. This is located to minimise the loss of vegetation on the site frontage and is designed to limit any impact on the existing Conservation Area setting and the character of Freely Lane.
Providing new pedestrian access points with dropped kerb crossings in close proximity to the play area on the other side of Freely Lane.

Next steps

We are holding this event to explain the new plans and we will have the consultation website online and open for feedback for the next few weeks.
Pre-application discussions with Leeds City Council are ongoing, with a presentation to Plans Panel targeted within the next few months.
Following completion of the pre-application and public consultation processes, work will commence on the full planning application, with a submission anticipated this year.

Thank you for attending today’s event. Please complete a feedback form and place it in the box provided. All feedback will be considered as part of the ongoing development of the plans. A detailed planning application for the construction of new homes at Bramham House will be submitted to Leeds City Council. The Council will undertake further public consultation on the application before making a determination.

If you have any questions please contact