Morley Fire Station - Public Meeting

A public meeting has been called by the Morley Borough Independents to discuss the proposals for the closure of Morley Fire Station and its merger with Hunslet Fire Station at an undisclosed location on Dewsbury Road.

The Meeting will be held in the Council Chamber in Morley Town Hall on Monday 8th October at 7pm.

Our opposition to the closure is well recorded as we have significant concerns about the fire safety of residents in outer communities - especially in East Ardsley, Drighlington and Gildersome - who may be put at risk if it takes longer for a fire engine to attend. We all know about the problems with Dewsbury Road and the difficulties that can face vehicles - especially when the M62 is clogged up as often as it is. If we add into this challenging scenario additional housing proposed for the Dewsbury Road corridor then communities may be being put at risk. 

Morley Fire Station does an brilliant job in dealing with road traffic incidents on the M62 and is often called for assistance along the stretch of motorway that runs along the length of Morley. The local firefighters also do an excellent job is reducing the risk of fires breaking out by visiting vulnerable groups - such as pensioners and the disabled - to offer help and advice to support a reduction in the potential for a fire. This successful approach has seen the number of deaths from house fires drop dramatically over the last few years and prevention is always better than the cure.

 The Fire Brigades Union has been invited to attend and we are hoping as many resident as possible will also attend to make their views clear. This will form the basis for our representation during this public consultation stage.

 A final decision is to be taken in December. It si vital that that decision takes into account local views and does not reduce the safety of local communities.

Daisy Hill victory

Many readers will have watched with interest a number of Developers circling several Morley Greenfield sites like vultures waiting to pounce. Daisy Hill is one of those locations which was lined up for almost hundred houses on this pleasant greenfield site.

The area is well known for flooding and Highways problems - especially on New Bank Street and King George Avenue - are well known. Added into this is the lack of places at local primary schools and the poor bus service within the area then it is difficult to see why Leeds City Council would approve planning permission for the site.

Local residents campaigned - along with MBI councillors - to oppose this proposal. No such opposition was found within Morley Labour Party with neither the local MP Ed Balls or his Morley Mate Neil Dawson offering any objections.

I attended the Plans Panel meeting and was delighted to hear representations from Dave Paul - Chairman of Morley Against Reckless Construction - who spoke passionately against the application. I offered my views about the lack of sustainability at this location and how it breached new Government Planning rules. The Panel agreed with us and turned over a recommendation of granting planning permission to a refusal.

There is little doubt the Developer will appeal as they are desperate to shovel their developments on to greenfield sites across Morley. We must continue to resist with the same commitment.

The battle for Morley Greenfield sites has just begun but I am delighted we won the first skirmish!