A decision on whether to allow Tong Garden Centre to build a new £14m store on a former golf course has been postponed.
Tong’s owners are seeking planning permission to build the new garden centre and soft play area at the old Acanthus Golf Club off Thorpe Lane in Tingley, a development that would create up to 250 jobs.
During a Leeds City Council South and West Plans Panel meeting this week, councillors said they were uneasy about building on the site, which technically sits in the green belt, and expressed concerns that the site appeared to only be accessible by car.
Coun Barry Anderson said: “I can see the jobs growth benefit, and with the number of housing allocations close to the locality, people will need access to a garden centre. However, I am concerned that this is in the green belt and it could have a negative effect on climate change.”
Coun Robert Finnigan supported the application, saying: “I know this site well. It is an eyesore site. Colleagues would have benefited from seeing how grotty and run down this is. It doesn’t enhance green belt, it detracts significantly from it.”
The application was deferred for a decision at later date.