Burton housing plans 'must integrate with community'

Members of a civic watchdog group met with Avant Homes to discuss new plans to build up to 500 new homes, land for employment and public greenspace on the former Burton manufacturing site in Burmantofts.

Leeds Civic Trust are keen to see many of the original features – such as the signage – kept and restored.

A Trust pokesperson said: “The proposals from Avant support many of our objectives, particularly the retention of some of the historical fabric including the Burton’s tiling and signage that feature on both the northern and southern elevations.”

The Trust made a draft report on the Burtons Site, which members shared with Avant at the meeting.

Leeds Civic Trust believes that any development of the site should aim to:

• Integrate with the surrounding community

• Consult with the local community and ward councillors early on

• Retain the principal elevations of 1934 Burton’s Factory

• Celebrate the site’s cultural heritage

• Make space for a publicly accessible Burton’s archive

• Create an inclusive, mixed community

• Include street trees, green spaces and social infrastructure

• Ensure development is carbon-neutral

• Prioritise pedestrian movement

• Encourage sustainable lifestyles through active travel and public transport

• Design varied public spaces with green and hard landscaping.

Read the Leeds Civic Trust report here: https://zurl.co/kR8L.

At one time, the Burmantofts factory was the biggest clothing factory in the world. Avant bought the site in 2022 and about a fifth of the factory buildings are currently in use.