A new high school and a new pedestrian route are set to reshape parts of Hunslet.
Plans are taking shape for two developments that will change the landscape in the old industrial heartland of Hunslet. The site for the Ruth Gorse Academy has been named as Black Bull Street, whilst plans for a ‘Hunslet Stray’ green pedestrian route from Leeds Bridge to the new Printworks Campus are moving forward.
As previously reported on South Leeds Life, the Ruth Gorse Academy will be a new high school established by the Trust that runs Morley and Farnley Academies. The school will be a ‘Free School‘. We understand previous plans to use an existing building in the area were rejected by the Department for Education. The school will now be built on derelict land between Black Bull Street and the New Dock development close to the Royal Armouries. The development is subject to planning permission being granted.
The school will still open in September 2014 with an intake of 252 Year 7 children, although it be located in temporary accommodation until the new school opens in September 2016. Although the schools allocation deadline has passed, families can still request a place at the Ruth Gorse Academy until this Friday (14 February 2014). The school has published more information on its website including a Frequently Asked Questions section.
Meanwhile a public meeting next Tuesday (18 February 2014) will here how plans for the ‘Hunslet Stray’ are developing.
The proposals being put forward by the Leeds Sustainable Development Group (LSDG) and Sustrans would create a linear public open space between The Adelphi at Leeds Bridge and Leeds City College’s new printworks campus on the old Alf Cooke site on Hunslet Road. The pedestrian and cycle route would follow the original course of Hunslet Road through the former Tetley brewery site.
The backers argue that the plan will help Leeds achieve its aim of being “a cleaner, greener city” and the “best city in the UK” as set out in the Council’s Vision for Leeds. The scheme is backed by the college and the new Tetley art gallery. Peter Roberts, Principal and Chief Executive of the City College said:
“Leeds City College is pleased to be supporting the Leeds Sustainable Development Group and Sustrans in their work delivering the stray that will not only provide a safe direct link from Leeds Bridge to our Campus, but will also start the process of reconnecting Leeds city centre with the South bank, Hunslet and Middleton.”
Kerry Harker, Director of The Tetley said:
“We are delighted to be supporting LSDG’s initiative to create The Hunslet Stray, which has now taken a step closer to becoming a reality. The project will create a more appealing and safer environment and thoroughfare for local residents, workers and visitors to the South Bank, at this key gateway site to a major regeneration area.”
The meeting is being held on Tuesday 18 February 2014 at The Tetley, starting at 5:30pm and is open to all.
