In January, Leeds’ Tory/Lib-Dem Council dumped its plans to build a Waste Transfer Facility on Kirkstall Road.

That decision, officially based on cost considerations, followed a hugely successful campaign amongst the local community against plans to handle waste opposite their houses, schools and shops.

The Council has revealed the true extent of the financial costs of the site. Had the Council built the station on Evanston Avenue, it would have cost the taxpayer £424,000 extra PER YEAR. This exorbitant figure does not even take into account the costs of building a new facility.

The Council was keen to push through a plan that would have been both a blight on the local area and burden on Kirkstall Road, at a cost of nearly half a million pounds every year.

Although delighted at the campaign’s success, Rachel is determined to make sure that lessons are learnt from the farcical project, and that the site is put to best use in future.

Rachel spoke to a Council meeting last week, questioning the decisions taken so far and making sure that the site is not forgotten by the Council moving forward. She said: “While it is great news that we won’t see a massive station in a ridiculous location, it is important that the site isn’t forgotten, and that the ugly burnt shell of the old station is removed.”

Rachel will continue to fight alongside your local Labour Councillors to ensure that

- the eyesore of the old facility is removed;
- the site is transformed into a modern recycling facility;
- local residents are properly consulted on future plans; and
- the Council is held to account for its decision making on the project.

You can keep up to date with any developments here.