16/17 CIVIC TRUST ANNUAL REPORT DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP 2017 CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION

The Trust gratefully acknowledges the support its work has received from partners and supporters in the form of grants, donations The Trust has had another terrific year at the forefront of As well as Facebook and Twitter we can now add Instagram and gifts in kind. a wide range of discussions that affect this wonderful city to our social media presence. These platforms enable us to of ours! reach out to a much wider audience and they will make a This year, we were pleased to welcome ten new corporate members to the Trust. They comprise the nine members listed in bold significant contribution to broadening our membership. Hand below plus Oakapple Group, who joined us as a gold member. The work of has not in the least been in hand with this comes our new website. Our thanks must impeded by changes in Director and Chair.We welcomed go to Meleri who has worked extremely hard to bring this to GOLD CORPORATE MEMBERS CORPORATE MEMBERS Martin Hamilton as Director Designate to the Trust in fruition. All of this must surely mark our arrival into the 21st Acanthus WSM Architects Leeds Beckett University October 2016 and it was officially handed over into his very century! A sleeker and more user-friendly approach to our CEG Adair Paxton LLP Leeds Building Society capable hands on Kevin’s retirement in December 2016. communications will no doubt bring us enormous benefits in www.ceg.co.uk Leeds College of Music the long term. Addleshaw Goddard LLP Whilst there has been mention of ‘transition’ in some of the Andrews Gwynne LLP Leeds Commercial reports contained in this Annual Report it has, in practice, As you might expect, we continued to play a significant role (aq) Limited - t/a aql Leeds Rugby Limited CJCT studio north Ltd been seamless and that is, in no small part, because Martin in highlighting and protecting our city’s heritage. Heritage Architecture 519 Manning Stainton has so easily taken up the reins left by Kevin – it seems he Open Days in Leeds, co-ordinated by the Trust, were as www.cjctstudios.com Armstrong Watson MEPC Ltd has always been with us! To add to this, the Trust benefits interesting and varied as always. Our work surveying more Mills & Reeve LLP Arup from the most dedicated and loyal employees in Meleri and than 2000 buildings at risk, coordinated by our Heritage Mood Developments Ltd Dobson Construction Ltd AW Hainsworth & Sons Ltd Dörte, a vibrant membership and an indefatigable band of at Risk Group, is now complete. We should not forget our Morgans Cityliving www.dobsonconstruction.co.uk Bartlett & Company Ltd volunteers, especially those who chair and work within our historical lectures and walks programmes that continue to Benjn R. Vickers & Sons Ltd Mott MacDonald committees and groups. They all deserve many thanks for attract new people to the work of the Trust. Our work in Bond Dickinson LLP Nick Brown Architects their vital contribution to the work of the Trust. this area is both vital and appreciated. Evans Property Group Bracken Limited Northbar Limited So what have we focused our energies on in particular this www.evanspropertygroup.com Brewster Bye Architects Ltd Oakgate Group Plc Leeds Civic Trust has many strengths but two stand out: year? Three things immediately come to mind: transport, Brown Butler, Chartered OneSubsea Ltd the ability to use our collective intelligence to make Leeds Accountants Opera North membership and our growing engagement with social media. a better place and our ability to change and stay relevant. Hammerson UK Properties Plc These have allowed us to thrive over the last five decades Caddick Developments Ltd Park Lane Properties As you will see from the planning and development report, (Leeds) Ltd and will determine our success in the years to come. www.hammerson.com Citu Developments LLP we have continued to consider a range of applications Pinsent Masons LLP Coda Studios Ltd covering housing, retail and education but it was our vision Royal Armouries It has been a privilege to be elected Chair of Leeds Civic KPMG LLP Colin Brear Advertising & for transport within this city that has been a key focus. So Trust and I look forward to another great year! Marketing Ltd RSM much so that the new Transport Group was set up with a www.kpmg.com/uk Cunniff Design Ltd Seven Architecture Limited mission to produce a ‘Transport Vision’ paper setting out Cushman & Sound Leisure Ltd where the priorities should be. Much thought and hard Land Securities Dacres Commercial Sous Le Nez Limited work have gone into this and, as I write, it is on the point of www.landsecurities.com DLA Design Group Ltd Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP publication for further discussion amongst a wider audience. DLG Architects LLP Stephen George & Partners LLP Broadening our membership has been an important issue DoubleTree by Hilton Sterling Capitol PLC Jane Taylor Oakapple Group to be addressed this year. Discussions began in January ESH Construction Svenska Handelsbanken AB Chair www.oakapplegroup.co.uk with a selection of meetings to talk about how we should Fore Consulting Limited The Harris Partnership Ltd September 2017 go about this. Some very helpful suggestions came out of Freeths LLP The Queens Richard Boothroyd & Associates Ltd Turley these meetings which have been and will continue to be Garbutt & Elliott LLP implemented. www.rba-online.co.uk Garnett Netherwood University of Leeds Architects Ltd Victoria Leeds Rushbond Group Gordons LLP Solicitors Walton & Co Hallam Land Management Watts Group Plc www.rushbond.co.uk Limited West and Machell Ltd Hoare Lea Lighting West & Town Centre Securities Plc ID Town Planning Chamber of Commerce Consultancy Ltd Westward Care Limited www.tcs-plc.com Jones Lang LaSalle Limited Whittam Cox Architects Joseph’s Well, Westgate, Leeds Wrigleys Solicitors LLP Wilton Developments King & Co WYG Group Ltd Front Cover Picture TRUST www.wiltondevelopments.co.uk Knight Frank LLP Yorkshire Design Group ‘Leeds: You’ll Love it 2017’ by Clifford Stead, artist and Leeds Civic Trust Council member. LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC

02 03 1. Masterplanning: Forty people gathered at the Playhouse to brainstorm improvements to Quarry Hill. 2. Bond Court: Refurbished public realm and location of the luxury Dakota Hotel. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

We believe that more new housing could be delivered Education on previously developed brownfield sites within the city Education is vital to the and our world- and so have objected to a number of large edge-of-town class universities, colleges and schools continue to invest estates. Their reliance on private car use and long-distance in their estate. Among 24 education-related applications commuting makes these sites unsustainable. However, we were plans for a new Leeds City College campus at Quarry have been cheered by plans for family homes within the Hill (now under construction), a Leeds Beckett University present urban area, with the Climate Innovation Creative Arts building and new University of Leeds research District and Forge (with its own railway station) and teaching facilities along Woodhouse Lane. featuring interesting design approaches and construction methods. Partners have identified a need to accommodate more technology-led companies in Leeds and this has led to We have seen fifteen proposals for converting offices to the concept of an Innovation District (science park) apartments and, while these may bring additional vitality to encompassing the Universities and the Leeds General the city centre in particular, we must ensure that we do not Infirmary. The University of Leeds Nexus building, now under lose the low-cost office space that is valuable to small firms construction and the first building in an ongoing programme, and start-up businesses. will house a range of offices, laboratories and meeting spaces. We have long questioned the housing requirements set out Student housing continues to be brought forward but we in the approved Core Strategy for Leeds as there are many were glad to see several schemes proposed in the city centre more sites with permission than there are with dwellings rather than Woodhouse – a project approved at the top of under construction. The review now in progress provides an New could be of particularly high quality. opportunity to re-examine the figures and to prevent more ‘cheaper-to-build-upon’ land being concreted over before more challenging sites are reused. I Leisure and Retail Introduction applications and this, together with a look back through The many applications for bars or restaurants, particularly presentations made to the committee, has steered this in traditional retail areas, will change the character of the The last year was a time of transition for the Trust, with a review of the year. city centre but the market for eateries seems insatiable. new Chair and Director providing an opportunity to review New destinations such as Merrion Street East and Victoria our areas of interest. However, planning, development and Housing Gate have been joined by a revitalised Greek Street where transport issues remain a key element of our work and the Over a third of applications considered, and of presentations extended pedestrianisation has transformed its character. Planning Committee has had a busy year. made, related to housing projects. These ranged from single We continued to lose traditional pubs and we reviewed six Development dwellings to major multi-unit sites, high density city centre projects which replaced drinking with residential use – some towers and extensive suburban estates. We saw several We have reviewed over 260 planning applications, supporting of these were conversions, where at least the townscape (sometimes with comments) 19%, commenting on 7% and Private Rental Sector (PRS) schemes which promised a impact will be limited, but others involved demolition of a characterful building. objecting to 37% – we made no comment on 37%. The speedy start on site but few have commenced. The quality figures are skewed by 75 applications for new phone kiosks of design and construction is crucial to ensuring a legacy Hotels were also an area of interest as surveys have shown in the city centre – we objected to all of these ‘advertising of attractive, sustainable buildings and, while we sometimes a significant shortage of bed spaces in Leeds. Several opened panels with phones attached’ and generated countrywide see ‘cheapening’ of projects after consent is granted, recent this year (Dakota, Ibis and Premier Inn) and others are on interest in a campaign to close a legislative loophole allowing schemes promise better buildings as owners focus on long- the way, including a Hilton on New Road (conversion telecom operators to install new boxes with minimal term operation rather than a quick sale – these include of former offices) and an EasyHotel in the heart of the overview. Certain development sectors dominate these several innovative projects in Urban Village. shopping area on Lands Lane. 2 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

04 05 3. State of the Art: The spectacular Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery facility. Visited by Leeds Civic Trust and recipient of a Leeds Architecture Award 2016.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Continued

Design Leeds College of Music are under way and there is progress from Caddick PLC for residential, hotel and leisure uses on A number of schemes have featured tall buildings and the the land in their ownership. With this in mind, we held a City Council is reviewing its current planning policy (and workshop bringing together partners from the locality to we were pleased to be consulted on this) – we feel such take a holistic look at Quarry Hill. We hope in particular that buildings may be appropriate in a number of locations but the these discussions will encourage improved connectivity and key is the quality of design/materials, their place in the wider high quality public realm for this location. As a postscript, at townscape and impact on other buildings and streets in the the initiative of Caddick PLC, the area is being rebranded as area (wind, shadow, etc.). Our commitment to quality design ‘SOYO’ (South of York Road). Time will tell if this New York is illustrated by our participation as judges in the Leeds style name takes hold. Architecture Awards 2016 and our nomination of Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley which was shortlisted for a Civic Voice Design We have also been involved in developing plans for South Award. Bank, including new bridges, changes to the highway layout and reviewing plans for the City Park which form the core Geographical Focus Areas of Vastint’s proposals for the former Tetley Brewery site – Quarry Hill was an area that the Trust was particularly keen schemes such as this are key to ensuring that the South Bank to highlight. Plans are now being advanced to refurbish and accommodates extensive new development (including the reconfigure the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the new City HS2 station) in a sustainable manner. College campus is under construction, improvements to

3 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

06 07 4. Open for Business: DLA Design Group Ltd, architects of the Central Square scheme on Wellington Street show Leeds Civic Trust visitors one of the remaining floorplates.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Continued

Transport This summary of our activity demonstrates how Leeds continues to move forward. The Trust’s interests in good I have left this to last but it is such an important topic that design, high quality public realm and amenity continue to we have set up a Planning Committee sub-group for this be as relevant as ever. As long as we continue to be at the subject alone. We responded to Leeds and West Yorkshire heart of these debates, we are confident that we can exert a policy documents, contributed to the debate on spending positive influence on the development of Leeds. None of this the £173m ‘NGT cash’ and addressed immediate issues would be possible without the diligent work of our Planning such as bus priority, city centre highway works and cycle Committee. I thank them for their input and I welcome a provision. We have continued to work with the Chamber number of new members to our committee. of Commerce on plans for HS2 and an expanded station serving an enhanced regional rail service – integrated with Mike Piet improved bus services, this could deliver improved journey Chairman, Planning Committee opportunities and economic benefits. This flurry of activity has led us to develop our own Transport Vision to guide our approach to schemes as they come forward, and also the development of specific proposals for the A660.

Architects Interior Design Masterplanning

SOUTH BANK £350million new city quarter delivering inspiring architecture, landmark offices, homes, retail and leisure just minutes walk from Leeds City Station. The CEG: South Bank proposal provides an opportunity for improvement of walking and cycling links between the established communities in Holbeck, the canal and the city centre core.

We’re still investing. Still developing. And still growing www.ceg.co.uk

4 CEG full page Civic Trust Ad.indd 1 18/09/2017 10:32 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

08 09 1. Kenneth Armitage (1916-2002): Commemorating the celebrated 3. Yorkshire and ’s Cricketing Greats are Celebrated: Leeds-born sculptor. (Left to right) Martin Hamilton, Jane Taylor, Lord Sir Leonard Hutton’s sons John and Richard Hutton (left to right) Mayor Cllr Gerry Harper and Robert Hiscox – Chair of the Kenneth remember two of the best batsmen ever to play for Yorkshire Armitage Foundation. and England. 2. The New Penny: A large and attentive audience listen to Cllr James 4. St Michael’s College Remembered: A lively reception was the Lewis, Deputy Leader of , explaining the importance backdrop for the unveiling of a plaque for this important educational of this well known LGBT+ venue. institution. (Left to right) Mark Watkin Jones, CEO of Watkin Jones HERITAGE & CONSERVATION Group, Evgeniya Klimchuk, Vice President at AIG Global Real Estate, Jane Taylor and unveiler Robin Smith. (Picture reproduced courtesy Historic Plaques Scheme of Johnston Press PLC.)

3 4 It commemorated this gothic revival building, designed above a shop on Kirkstall Road! by the architect Father Benedict Williamson, and opened We also piloted our ‘People’s Plaque’ initiative. This will in 1909 as a Catholic grammar school and underlined enable Leeds residents to contribute towards the cost of its importance in educating boys across the West Riding. a plaque for just a pound. In return, they will feature in our Following comprehensive refurbishment and expansion by plaque booklet and will be invited to the unveiling. We chose Watkin Jones Group, the building is now used as apartments. industrialist Benjamin Gott as our first subject. At the time of The two plaques, one inside the entrance and the other writing, fundraising has been very successful, and we hope to on the gatepost, were generously sponsored by AIG Asset report on the unveiling in next year’s annual report. Management, the owners. Our plaques scheme could not operate without the support Mandela Gardens was the location of the plaque for Kenneth I and time of our Trust members. This year, the unveilings Armitage CBE, unveiled on 5th May by Robert Hiscox, Chair have been introduced by former Chair Lynda Kitching and The Plaques Group continues to meet regularly and This was followed two weeks later by a plaque unveiling at of its generous sponsor The Kenneth Armitage Foundation. by current Chair Jane Taylor. The booklets (copies of which considers a number of requests at each meeting – discussions St. Lawrence Cricket Club. This commemorated the The plaque is near to the Armitage sculpture ‘Both Arms’, are on sale in our bookshop) accompany each unveiling are always lively! Since the last report the number of plaques fact that the great Yorkshire and England batsmen Herbert which was unveiled by Nelson Mandela in 2001. The Trust is and are the result of much hard work and research by Bob has grown to 163. Further plaques are in the pipeline – as Sutcliffe and Sir Leonard Hutton learned to play cricket on particularly grateful to John Thorp, Leeds Civic Architect, for Tyrrell. Bob has been assisted by Martin Hamilton, Kevin ever, they require sponsorship and a suitable location. this ground. It was unveiled by Sir Leonard’s sons, Richard his work in suggesting the plaque and bringing the project to Grady, Janet Douglas, Veronica Lovell and Craig Owen Lewis, and John. The plaque fruition and also the Lord Mayor for his hospitality prior to On 19th October 2016, a crowd assembled outside The New who make up the Plaques Group, the aforementioned Roger and event were kindly the event. Penny in , to be present at the unveiling of plaque Garnett who fixes them and Bob Rand who helps with their sponsored by the Club. number 160 by Cllr James Lewis, Deputy Leader of Leeds Although not a Civic Trust plaque, we were delighted maintenance. A commemorative City Council. He spoke about the history of the LGBT+ to support the BBC in commemorating the Hollywood service at the Moravian We continue to receive positive feedback from Leeds community in the city and the role that this public house had musical arranger Angela Morley as part of their Music Church at Fulneck residents about our plaques scheme and are always delighted played in making Leeds a compassionate and accepting place. Day celebrations. The Leeds Civic Trust Director Martin preceded the unveiling. to receive suggestions from members of the public. Professor Alison Oram of Leeds Beckett University spoke Hamilton spoke to Radio Leeds about her importance to the about the significance of the building in changing attitudes Our 162nd plaque was entertainment industry, and reflected on the many existing John Crossen in the decades since the legalisation of homosexuality. The unveiled at St Michael’s entertainment-related Civic Trust plaques in Leeds – including Plaques Scheme Co-ordinator those commemorating band leader Ivy Benson and the plaque celebrated not only the building, from its time as The College in Little . We even loaned out our ‘plaques fixer’ Hope and Anchor, but also those who had patronised it down Woodhouse by former Roger Garnett to erect the plaque at her childhood home the years. pupil Robin Smith. 2 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

10 11 1. Our Shopping Heritage: An illustration of the Headrow from Kevin Grady’s lunchtime talk on the history of shopping in Leeds. At Westward Care, each of our homes offer a flexible range of person centred services including: HERITAGE & CONSERVATION Hall • Residential Care Historic Buildings and Areas 5 Shire Oak Road, • Apartments with Care and Support Headingley, • Respite Care and Holiday Stays Leeds LS6 2DD • At Home – Apartment Client Services Telephone 0113 275 9950

Southlands • Nursing Care and Residential Care Wetherby Road, • Apartments with Care and Support , • Continuing Care Leeds LS8 2JU • End of life Care Telephone 0113 265 5876 • Respite Care and Holiday Stays

Pennington Court • Nursing Care and Residential Care Hunslet Hall Road, • Intermediate Care Beeston, • Respite Care Leeds LS11 6TT • Continuing Care Telephone 0113 228 4040 • End of life Care • ‘Extra Care Plus’ Apartments

Our facilities are proud to be associated with the following organisations.

WWC_Civic_130x180_2017_St03.indd 1 14/09/2017 16:58

I Buildings at Risk and Heritage Protection York Road Library – Also owned by Rushbond PLC, this derelict building received planning permission to become a We were delighted to win the Peter Spawforth award (from gym with works having started on site in August 2017. the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies) for our work surveying listed buildings in Leeds. This significant Hunslet Mill & Victoria Mill – These mill buildings are undertaking, in partnership with Leeds City Council’s to be redeveloped after 40 years of being derelict, and many Conservation team (over 2000 individual sites visited) was years of unimplemented planning permissions. Leeds-based completed in summer 2017. developer JM Construction will refurbish them to provide a mix of one, two and three bed apartments. We continued to monitor the status of heritage assets in Leeds and are delighted that a number of buildings are likely Whilst we continue to monitor buildings at risk,our work to be removed from our Heritage at Risk list in the near is now entering a new phase. Working with the Council’s future. These include: Conservation team, we hope to produce advice for listed building owners to assist them in maintaining and improving This important First White Cloth Hall, Kirkgate – their properties. Positive action to improve our heritage historical building, a long-term concern for the Trust, was assets will be an increasing focus for us. purchased by Leeds-based developer Rushbond PLC with a plan to refurbish and reconstruct the hall and bring it back Our work could not be done without the support of the into use. Fruitful discussions with the new owner give us Heritage at Risk Group complemented by others who hope of a good scheme and construction activity on site in undertake our survey work. the near future. The nearby Corn Exchange is now in the Jenna Strover same ownership, and we hope that this will promote the Chair, Heritage at Risk Group development of comprehensive vision for this part of . LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

12 13 1. This Is Your Life: Leeds Civic Trust Council member Jenna Strover presents Kevin Grady with a ‘This Is Your Life’ book to mark his retirement as Director of Leeds Civic Trust.

COUNCIL & AIMS AND FAREWELL KEVIN GRADY! COMMITTEES OBJECTIVES

PATRON HERITAGE AT RISK LEEDS CIVIC TRUST is a voluntary, non-political body, open Olav Arnold GROUP to everyone who wants to participate in and influence the planning Chair: Jenna Strover of our City – not simply at election time or on other formal occasions, but constantly in the everyday decisions that affect our PRESIDENT Rick Amos; Ruth Dass; Jeremy Burton environment and the way of life in work and leisure. Graham Mark Dales Hutton; The objects of the Trust are to promote and encourage the VICE-PRESIDENTS Julie Day; Anthony McGreavey; following, by charitable means but not otherwise: Peter Baker Caroline Newton; TO STIMULATE public interest in and care for the beauty, Lynda Kitching Chris Osborne; Nicholas history, and character of the City and locality; Pronay; Garance Rawinsky; high standards of design, architecture and TO ENCOURAGE COUNCIL Tony Ray; Richard Voss; town planning; Chair: Jane Taylor Meryll Wilford; Clive Woods TO ENCOURAGE the development and improvement of Vice-Chair: Mike Piet features of general public amenity; PHOTOGRAPH Hon. Treasurer: Robert Solyom TO PROMOTE and organise co-operation in achievement of Ben Aspinall COLLECTION GROUP these objectives. Liz Pruden; Doreen Wood Peter Baker AFFILIATED SOCIETIES Little Woodhouse Jim Brettell PLAQUES GROUP Civic Society Community Association John Pike Scheme Co-ordinator: Community Village Association Clifford Stead John Crossen Association Newlay Conservation Society Jenna Strover Janet Douglas; Craig Owen Village Society Conservation Richard Voss Lewis; Veronica Lovell; Foxhill Residents’ Association Task Force Meryll Wilford Bob Tyrrell Friends of Holbeck Cemetery The Oulton Society Friends of Pudsey & District EVENTS & MEMBERSHIP TRUST BOOKSHOP Cemetery Civic Society Bookshop Manager: I COMMITTEE Friends of Roundhay Conservation Chair: Meryll Wilford Helen Seymour Friends of Society Marjie Bedell; Jane Collins; Ann Castle; Rachel Fletcher; Friends of Roundhay Environmental Action Project Garance Rawinsky; Jane Taylor; Pam Freeman; Liz Gillett; Gledhow Valley Conservation TRUST Making a Donation or Bequest Hazel Lunn; Chris Mason; Area Group Thackray Museum Ann Voss; Val Wright Julia Waring; Paul White; Civic Society The Thoresby Society to Leeds Civic Trust FINANCE COMMITTEE Margaret White; Leeds Co-op Members Group The Victorian Society PATRONS Chair: Peter Baker Charles Wickert The Leeds Library Weetwood Residents’ Had you thought of making a donation to the Leeds Civic Association Trust during your lifetime or leaving us some money in your Jeremy Burton; Robert Solyom; Leeds Parks and Green Spaces MEMBERSHIP Forum Wetherby Civic Society will? This Annual Report shows the tremendous work the John Pike; Jane Taylor Gold Patrons Bill and Sheila Griffiths ADMINISTRATOR Trust and its volunteers are doing to improve Leeds. LEEDS CIVIC TRUST WHY NOT JOIN US? Simply to continue this important work at its present level HOUSE COMMITTEE Jeremy Freeman Olav Arnold Chris Hindle Leeds Heritage & Design Centre Individual Membership £30 p.a. or to expand it as we hope to do, we have a pressing need Chair: Richard Voss NEWSLETTER EDITOR 17/19 Wharf Street Family Membership £40 p.a. Silver Patrons Dean Johnson for more resources. Graham Castle; Roger Garnett; Leeds LS2 7EQ Jane Taylor Affiliated Societies Jennifer Jones The great thing about the Trust is its independence; quite Bob Rand Telephone: 0113 243 9594 Robert Dyson Membership £40 p.a. intentionally we do not rely on public sector grants to help DIRECTOR Fax: 0113 244 8355 Nigel McClea finance our core activities. This means that as the city’s PLANNING COMMITTEE Martin Hamilton email: Patron Scheme: Patrons Michael Pemberton watchdog on planning, architecture, heritage and public Chair: Mike Piet [email protected] Patron £100 p.a. George Beggs amenities, we can speak out on behalf of Leeds citizens OFFICE website: Ruth Robson Peter Baker; David Silver Patron £200 p.a. without fear or favour. ADMINISTRATORS www.leedscivictrust.org.uk Margot Brunaus-Friedman facebook: @leedscivictrust Gold Patron £500+ p.a. Neville and Elizabeth Rowell Barraclough; James Boothroyd; Dörte Haarhaus We would be thrilled if you would make us a donation or twitter: @LeedsCivicTrust Ann Clark Jim Brettell; Jane Collins; Richard A. Smith bequest. If first you would like to discuss how the money Meleri Roberts instagram: @leedscivictrust Corporate Membership: would be used, please contact: Robert Collins; Howard Dews; Standard £300 p.a. Hywel Coleman Martin Staniforth and Gill INDEPENDENT The Director, David Ellis; Paul Exley; Gold £1000 p.a. Peter and Hilary Dyson Eastabrook EXAMINERS Company Limited by Guarantee Leeds Civic Trust, Caroline Newton; Tony Ray; Registered No: 2742348 The Trust gratefully Anne Travers 17-19 Wharf Street, Leeds LS2 7EQ. Registered Charity Designed & Produced by Roger Garnett and Sandra Sawyer; Clifford Stead; Tel: 0113 243 9594 acknowledges the help No: 1014362 Colin Brear Advertising Lynda Kitching Doreen Wood Jane Taylor; Jeremy Thompson; of Bartfields Chartered & Marketing Email: [email protected] Clive Woods; Colin Woodward Accountants. Telephone: 01274 620214 Janette Gaunt LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

14 15 1. Good Bad and Ugly: Available in our bookshop and the subject of our debate on Leeds architecture led by Adrian Jones at the HEART centre in Headingley.

OUR OUR BOOKSHOP PREMISES

I am pleased to say that sales at the Leeds Civic Trust This year we have undertaken a significant amount of work bookshop are on the up, with an increase in both profit and to improve our Wharf Street premises. We also continued profit margin. It is often a new or popular book that brings to maintain the Bear Pit in Headingley, and have undertaken people in – and then they look around and see what a rich further work to plan for its improvement in the longer term. Leeds cornucopia we have: ‘I’ve always meant to come by’, Our old central heating boiler was replaced in the autumn is a frequent refrain. This year what drew people was with a new and more efficient model. We also added A History of Kirkgate by Steven Burt and Kevin Grady radiator capacity on the ground floor where there had been – highlighted as a new publication in last year’s report; a concerns about temperatures in colder weather. fascinating read and with marvellous illustrations by Peter In the spring a long planned project to install a ceiling- Brears, and more than 100 copies sold during the year. mounted digital projector and a large screen television Second-hand books in the Olav Arnold Room came to fruition. We can now are also a big draw. project on to the front window blind and on to a 60’ screen We have many that fixed to the back wall. We also renewed our meeting room are now out of print tables, thanks to a generous donation from Colin Brear (the and rather special publisher of this annual report). The result is a modern and so the frequent welcoming meeting room that has attracted the interest of browser is often outside organisations. well rewarded. We Another visible project, completed during the summer, are most grateful to has been the renewal of our very old kitchen. This has those members who given us improved facilities for preparing food for events have donated them such a supper walks, and the labour-saving dishwasher is to us. particularly appreciated!

Increasingly we stock All of this, plus keeping up with a wide variety of maps and guides, I maintenance and renewal tasks, is only possible with the especially those which encourage people to explore different help of the volunteers, so thanks must go to committee parts of Leeds on foot and these are usually free. As well as members Bob Rand, Graham Castle and Roger Garnett for the themed maps from Leeds City Council, we stock fine giving up their time so generously. maps on the Meanwood Valley Trail, Shadwell, Meanwood Richard Voss Road and a new one on Headingley. There may be more that Chair, House Committee local groups have produced. We’d love to carry them as they are another enticement to passers-by to come and browse.

Many thanks to our loyal and well-informed group of regular volunteers: Charles Wickert, Rachel Fletcher and Pam Freeman, and keen back-up members. Would you like to volunteer on a regular or occasional basis? Do get in touch.

Helen Seymour Bookshop Manager LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

16 17 1. Networking: Leeds City Council Chief Executive Tom Riordan talks to guests at our networking lunch.

DIRECTOR’S REFLECTIONS InvestingCommercial | Industrial in |Leeds Residential

Joseph’s Well and 2 Park Lane , Leeds

Howley Park Business Village, Morley Apsley House, Leeds

I

As we know, Dr Kevin Grady retired in December 2016 Opening up the Trust to other organisations who share after three decades at the helm, and I was honoured to our values is the aim of our new grants scheme. In our first succeed him. I have been impressed by the high esteem in round, funding was allocated to All Together , Friends which the Trust is held across the city, and in particular the of Beckett Street Cemetery, Leeds Waterfront Festival and time our volunteers put in. So a key focus for me in my first The Works Skatepark. We will report back on this new DPD, Howley Park, Morley year has been membership and engagement. initiative more fully next year.

We held three membership consultation events in January, All in all, a very busy first year for me. Here’s to the next and these will become an annual fixture. Many of the ideas 12 months! put forward at these meetings will be acted upon, and in future I see them as the starting point of our annual business Martin Hamilton planning exercise, feeding back on what we have been doing Director as a Trust and identifying priorities for the next year from the September 2017 bottom up.

I am also keen that our membership reflects the population of Leeds as a whole. We have successfully trialled a three month free membership initiative, something we will repeat. We have also introduced our ‘networking lunches’ – to bring new people to Wharf Street to hear about our work and listen to interesting speakers. Some of the attendees are now involved in the regular work of the Trust as a result.

J Pullan & Sons Limited, T: 0113 271 7221 Leeds Civic Trust seeks to represent all parts of Leeds, which Manor Works, Beeston, E: [email protected] Est. 1885 Leeds LS11 8QT. W: www.pullans.com is why I particularly value the work we do in partnership with our Affiliated Societies, and very much enjoyed attending our ‘Conservation Conversation’ meeting arranged

with them in mind. TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS LEEDS CIVIC CIVIC TRUST

18 19 1. Athena Rising: The tallest piece of street art in the UK adorns the gable end of the newly refurbished ‘The Platform’ at Leeds Station. 2. Not Long to Go: Leeds lays down a physical marker as it prepares for its European Capital of Culture 2023 bid. CULTURE & AMENITIES

Private provision of green space as part of planning gain space outside the old Coburg Public House on Claypit Lane. is another way of providing new public space. The Trust is However, we challenged the Council to ensure that the space therefore very supportive of the Vastint scheme on the old and overall traffic arrangements were putting the needs of Tetley site. If the scheme is implemented, we will see the the pedestrian at its heart. development of arguably the largest urban park in Leeds Cultural Facilities in living memory. We are feeding in our views about its A final area where Capital of Culture and Trust objectives proposed design (our view is that it should not be too align is in the area of cultural assets. Although not necessarily formal), and see the opportunity for this to become the a part of the Capital of Culture bid itself, previous bid centrepiece of a wider regeneration on the South Bank. winners were able to create new cultural facilities as a by- One of the unexpected spin-offs of the government’s decision product. We hope that this will be the case in Leeds – and in to allow Leeds City Council to spend money earmarked for our comments on the draft Leeds Cultural Strategy, which the trolley bus scheme on other public transport initiatives, was finalised this year, we urged that capital investment is the opportunity to build in improvements to our public (even if privately financed) should be integral to our cultural realm. Creating genuinely attractive public transport aspirations. What form that might take is up for debate – corridors and improving the environment around bus stops a new medium sized concert and conference venue? and bus hubs, should encourage more people to take the bus. A major national museum? A signature piece of public art? We will be looking closely at these proposals in the months Time will tell. I to come. Martin Hamilton

Capital of Culture Bid 2023 Our Open Spaces We commented on smaller scale public realm schemes Director, Leeds Civic Trust By the time you read this report, Leeds City Council will Another of our interests that overlaps with the Capital during the year, including proposals to create new public have submitted its bid to be European Capital of Culture in of Culture initiative is the city’s public realm. Leeds Civic 2023. One UK city will be capital of culture in 2023, and we Trust was pleased to be involved in the organisation of a all hope that this will be Leeds. conference at the University of Leeds entitled ‘Reimagining During the course of the year as the bid has been developed, the Future of Urban Public Space’ – 5th June 2017, which the benefits of participating in the Capital of Culture process considered public space in all of its guises – from public have become clearer. Liverpool was transformed when it took parks to shopping centre concourses and everything in the Capital of Culture crown in 2008. Newcastle/Gateshead between. Local authorities are increasingly looking at lost out to Liverpool that year, but ploughed ahead with many alternative ways of supporting parks and green spaces; of its proposals, the results of which are clear to see. Whilst providing or maintaining public parks is not a statutory Hull is the UK European City of Culture this year (a different requirement, even though their obvious benefits to health competition), the artistic and cultural dividend is clear, as is and well-being are clear. It is to Leeds City Council’s credit the promise of significant regeneration in the years to come. that the standard of our public parks remains high, in To ensure that Leeds Civic Trust is fully engaged in this spite of declining budgets, and this was underlined by the initiative, we have established a working group to develop a award of green flag status to seven of our city’s parks. We number of ideas into activities that the Trust might deliver attended the launch at Temple Newsam of the Leeds Parks before and during the Capital of Culture year. Our abiding Fund which will allow people to give a regular donation – interest in heritage alone puts us in a very strong position to or to leave money in their will – to support our parks, thus be involved in this important undertaking. creating a way of resourcing park-related projects without drawing on the Council’s purse strings. 2 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

20 21 39894 Oakgate Civic Trust Advert (180 x 130).qxp_Layout 1 14/09/2017 14:18 Page 1

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The Events and Membership Committee had a particularly in the UK. In February we enjoyed a very informative visit busy year organising a varied programme of events for both to the University Technical College. Boasting state-of-the-art DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT FOR WORK OF HEALTH & PENSIONS members and the wider public. facilities located within the Braime Pressings site, the College teaches the national curriculum, preparing students for a EAST STREET Visits ARTS A NORTHERN range of GCSE subjects and aims to create future engineers, E C B BALLET MODA Our ‘Made in Leeds’ strand provides an opportunity to scientists and inventors. New developments took us to LIVING UNITE LEEDS showcase products made in the city. Our visit to Sound Wellington Street in May. Central Square is a spectacular STUDENTS COLLEGE F D OF MUSIC Leisure in in September highlighted the only office and retail complex including a ‘winter garden’ and YORKSHIRE DANCE BBC factory in the world making jukeboxes for vinyl records. atrium providing high quality public realm space. Wellington THE WARDROBE During our visit to Bagel Nash we discovered that the Place (developed by corporate member MEPC) offers mixed MUNRO HSE company makes 30 million bagels a year and exports fifty use buildings and open space focused around the listed 1850s LEEDS CITY WELCOME TO SOYO: COLLEGE WEST YORKSHIRE per cent of its production; attendees were delighted to railway lifting tower. AN EXCITING NEW PLAYHOUSE sample the bagels! NEIGHBOURHOOD Focusing on heritage, the Special Collections department at THAT PROVIDES New facilities and amenities were another focus of our the University of Leeds welcomed us in March. Following A HOME AND A. PROPOSED CAR PARK visits programme. In October 2016 members visited the a talk about collector and philanthropist Lord Brotherton, HEART FOR LEEDS’ B. STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, RESIDENTIAL OR OFFICE Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility at Stourton, attendees enjoyed a private viewing of historically significant CONTEMPORARY C. STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, RESIDENTIAL OR OFFICE D. HOTEL recipient of a Leeds Architecture Award for its design. objects from his collections. CULTURAL SCENE. E & F. MODA LIVING: 515 APARTMENTS FOR RENT WITH This facility is regarded as the ‘jewel in the crown’ by its PHASE 1 ON SITE BARS/RESTAURANTS We were pleased to hold social events for our members, Computer Generated Image operator Veolia. Waste from our black bins fuels the furnace SPRING 2018. supporters and volunteers this year. A particular highlight to generate energy. Nothing is wasted – even the residual included an evening of fine dining at Leeds City College ash is used for road aggregate. Our first visit of 2017 was Food Academy in June, marking the Catering and Hospitality hosted by Hammersons PLC whose staff took us on a SOYOLEEDS.COM @SOYOLEEDS students’ graduation. tour of their newly developed Victoria Gate, which has contributed to making Leeds the third largest retail centre Finally, at our ‘away day’ to Bridlington in July we heard about LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

22 23 2. Destination Reached: Participants in the ‘Workerslunchtime: RETOUR’ walk, arriving at Blenheim Square on their walk due north from City Square. 3. Blast From the Past: An old publicity poster in the dressing rooms on our visit to Bridlington Spa. EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 4. Kitted Out: Leeds Civic Trust members enjoy a visit to Bagel Nash. Continued

introduced Conservation Areas; Leeds has 78 and 15 In April the Trust and Headingley Development Trust jointly were featured in walks this year. The Sexual Offences Act organised a talk by Adrian Jones, author of ‘Cities of the decriminalised homosexuality and a talk at Leeds City North’ and former Chief Planning Officer at Nottingham City Museum entitled ‘Criminal Times’ considered the impact Council, at HEART in Headingley. Adrian’s talk was thought- of this legislation on the LGBT+ community. Once again provoking and a wide ranging discussion followed about what I enjoyed working with our Heritage Open Days is ‘good’, ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ in Leeds and other northern cities. co-ordinator Lynda Kitching, who I would like to thank Similar joint events are planned for the future. for her time and commitment to this great initiative. Civic Day

Talks, Seminars and Discussions To mark Civic Day on Saturday 17th June, the Trust set up In February Kevin Grady returned post-retirement to give stall in the Merrion Centre owned by corporate members his series of lunchtime lectures at Trinity Church on Boar Town Centre Securities. The high footfall insured much Lane attracting a large and appreciative audience. We plan to interest in the work of the Trust. We used the occasion to continue this popular initiative. launch our ‘People’s Plaque’ initiative mentioned earlier in this report. We are keen to promote discussion and debate around some of the key issues affecting our city. One example of this was Finally, I wish to commend the continuing hard work and enthusiasm of committee members Marjie Bedell, a seminar entitled ‘The Future of East Leeds’. Involving an Jane Collins, Garance Rawinsky, Jane Taylor, Ann Voss and 2 audience in excess of 100, and including presentations by Leeds Val Wright and all of our walk leaders and caterers. the renaissance and regeneration of this popular seaside west from the Black Prince statue in City Square. City Council Officers, the seminar focused on the East Leeds town. Beginning at Bridlington Spa, a presentation was A review of the range of walks we offer, looking at new Extension and East Leeds Orbital Road – proposals which will Meryll Wilford followed by a tour of this impressive facility. We then enjoyed topics and investigating new formats and collaborations will have a significant impact on the future shape of the city. Chair, Events and Membership Committee guided walks, visits to the old town and Bridlington Priory and be undertaken this year – there is clearly much demand. an excellent afternoon tea before we headed back to Leeds. Heritage Open Days: 7-10 September 2017 The 2016 AGM Leeds Civic Trust continues to co-ordinate Heritage Open Our AGM deserves particular mention as this was the last Days - a function carried out in many other areas of the one attended by Kevin Grady as Director. Held in the Civic country by local authorities. The changeable weather did not Hall in November, we were delighted to welcome Cllr Judith dampen the spirits either of those who generously volunteer Elliott, representing the Lord Mayor. Cllr Elliott spoke of as hosts, guides and speakers (including many Trust members), her long association with the Trust and praised our work or of the thousands of throughout the city. Kevin was presented with his own blue participants. Events are listed plaque to mark his retirement as Director. This was followed in a brochure produced by by a talk from him entitled ‘30 years in 30 minutes’, looking the Trust and sponsored by back on his 30 years as Director and the changes that had the City Council and also on taken place in Leeds during this period. the HODs national website. Guided Walks The 2017 programme involved a record number The series of five summer ‘all comers’ supper walks proved of 122 events. This year’s to be as popular as ever; in addition we undertook several national themes included ‘tailored’ walks for various organisations. We also successfully the 50th anniversaries of trialled a series of lunchtime walks over the summer led by two key pieces of legislation. Trust member Rob Kilner, walking due north, south, east and The Civic Amenities Act 3 4 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST LEEDS CIVIC TRUST

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