West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways

General Information

This initiative was started in 2005 to protect, improve and publicise the recreational benefits of greenspace around and within the West Leeds conurbation.

The project has the full support of ward members in West Leeds and is co-ordinated and managed by the Learning & Leisure Department Parks & Countryside Service. The project involves numerous community groups, agencies, landowners as well as the West Leeds Area Committee.

The key aims of the West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways Initiative are to ensure: -

•     Suitable and sustainable greenspace availability
•    Quality recreational areas
•     Diverse wildlife habitats
•     Strong community involvement

An integral part of the initiative is the West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways trail. The 32km circular trail runs from the City Centre, through the green corridor of the Aire Valley and into the countryside around Calverley. From there the trail follows the green corridor between Leeds and Bradford, wends its way through the countryside south of Pudsey before finally entering the urban areas of Armley and Wortley. Here the interest is maintained by using the parks and ginnels as stepping stones to effect the full circle back to the Leeds Liverpool Canal and the City Centre.

To achieve the above aims and consolidate the importance of the trail it is important to protect the existing greenspace and this will be pursued through the Local Development Framework for West Leeds. Secondly it is essential to communicate to the communities of West Leeds and surrounding areas where the various greenspaces and the trail are and how to access them. Part of this communication entails consultation exercises with various organisations and community groups within and around the area of the West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways to explain the benefits and aspirations of the initiative. To ensure the initiative meets the needs of the various groups a list of objectives have been drawn up for consultative purposes.

Short Term Objectives

• Examine the feasibility of extending the Country Park and Green Gateways area to include greenspace around the south of New Farnley and in towards Beeston Royds.

• Explore potential routes from Beeston Royd, Post Hill and/or Silver Royd Hill to Armley and the City Centre to create a complete circular route. Route to use existing green corridors and/or greenspaces as “stepping stones”.

• Once the route is affirmed produce a standard interpretation board for the Country Park and Gateways scheme. Suggest compartmentalise the Park due to its size so the interpretation boards within each compartment contain a simple generic map of the Park along with a more detailed map for the compartment in question.

• Produce a general leaflet about the Country Park and the Green Gateways. Supplement this with specific leaflets for each compartment within the Park.

• Establish a framework with Bradford so cross-border issues can be discussed and acted upon. This will have particular relevance to the various Public Rights of Way that cross the boundary and in the development of mini circular trails.

• Way mark key routes through the site and spur paths to sites of interest and ensure these are included in the leaflets.

• Set up a consultative forum that will include key stakeholders to discuss issues relating to the development of the Country Park and Green Gateways.

• Organise a number of guided walks through the proposed area using the Countryside Rangers and volunteers.

• Organise a number of bigger events with the emphasis on promoting health in all its guises. Orienteering, horse riding, cross-country running, walking, mountain bike rides and conservation work.

• Improve key Public Rights of Way within the site and develop a West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways Trail for walkers, horse riders and mountain bike riders.

• Select sites within the Country Park and Green Gateways that would benefit from conservation works e.g. pond construction, wild flower meadow establishment or restoration, hedge planting, tree plantations, fencing and dry stone walling.

• Formal framework with the various stakeholders to implement improvements in the greenspace areas.

• Seek grants to improve or provide facilities to the various greenspaces. For example the installation of seats, picnic tables, steps, ramps and directional signage. Also to include removal of fly-tipped waste and general litter besides installing appropriate barriers to prevent unauthorised access.

• Look at creating mini circular trails within the Country Park  & Green Gateways area.

• Develop a management plan for the initiative that encompasses the various sites, links, consultation and objectives.

Long Term Objectives

• Resolve outstanding ownership of various greenspaces that lie within the area of the proposed Country Park and Green Gateways.

• Where appropriate open up new public rights of way or permissive ways to provide links between various existing public rights of way and thereby develop continuity in routes through the proposed Country Park and Green Gateways.

• Develop and expand access to new areas of greenspace within the urban and countryside areas that will positively contribute to the initiative.

The Parks & Countryside Service has already started work on this ambitious scheme. Extensive consultation has seen over 35 organisations and 25 community groups approached.

At present the key objective being pursued is publicising the initiative and in particular the trail. Thus interpretation boards and way marking signs for the trail and those spur routes that lead to interesting places will be important features. This will be supported by a general leaflet and six detailed specific leaflets providing information on the route besides local history and wildlife to be seen on the way. A £50,000 Green Leeds Ltd grant obtained recently has enabled us to start on the initiative and already the general leaflet about the trail is available (See below for details to download the general leaflet). Work has now started on the first specific leaflet and interpretation board for the section of the trail running from the City Centre to Bramley Fall.

Another objective is the formation of the West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways consultative forum which comprises participants from the various community groups and organisations in West Leeds. The forum has been formed and is already actively exploring issues relating to the project’s further development.

Partnership working is a key feature of the initiative. Thus through the Area West Committee £20,000 of Well-being funds was accrued for improvements in Post Hill Woods. The proposed access works, seating and signage was agreed through close consultation with the Post Hill Consultative Group comprising local walkers, horse riders and motorcyclists that all regular use the site.

Likewise consultation between the horse riding fraternity and the Public Rights of Way Service will lead to £20,000 of bridleway improvements in Nan Whin Woods thereby safeguarding the unique vegetation of this designated Leeds Nature Area and enhancing the recreational potential of the site

Future developments of the initiative include a guided walk and West Leeds activity calendar beside a Neighbourhood Renewal Fund application for improvements to twelve parks in deprived areas of West Leeds. It is also considered vital to the scheme that additional funding is sought for a West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways officer’s post to implement and maintain the various projects and liaise with community groups who wish to improve their local areas.

Additional Benefits of the West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways Initiative

Provision for physical activity is a key element of the initiative. Whether the activity involves walking, running or cycling it will help to reduce by 50% the risks of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers. Furthermore these diseases often result from being overweight. Certainly on a national scale 63% of men and 53% of women are either overweight or obese, a situation that applies equally to West Leeds.

Accessing greenspaces around the West Leeds conurbation will also enable community members of all ages to improve their well being. The latter aspect covers spiritual, psychological, cultural, optimism, self-expression, quality of life, realising one’s potential and personal satisfaction with life. Research has shown that stress arising from work and urban living can be eased by contact with and visual appreciation of natural scenes.   

Preserving the countryside around West Leeds for wildlife is also an important element of the initiative and will be instigated through the Parks & Countryside Service in conjunction with local community groups and organisations. Projects will aim to maintain and improve the habitats and wildlife that are part of the Coal Measures Natural Area of West Leeds and also support key aspects of the Biodiversity Action Plan for Leeds.

West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways leaflets

General Leaflet

Contact Details

If you require further details about the West Leeds Country Park & Green Gateways initiative please contact: -

Elaine Hill
West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways Officer
Learning & Leisure Department
Parks & Countryside Service
Farnley Hall Park
Hall Lane
Leeds
LS12 5HA

Tel: 0113 395 7460
E-mail: elaine.hill@leeds.gov.uk

Please note that the Parks and Countryside's Head Office main reception telephone number 0113 3957400 is staffed from 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am - 4.00pm on a Friday. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on the answerphone. 

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