Aircraft Viewing Areas

[JakeS]

All it's going to do i.m.o. is move spotters to the cemetery and congest that area even more.

 

[lbaspotter]

I've just driven past the plane hill along Bayton Lane and can tell you it's not the farmer who's installed this gate.
To me all the signs says it looks like Leeds City Council are up to something as it's the kind of gate they would install.

 

[Aviador]

I've just driven past and agree, this is a permanent gate built to stop public vehicle access. #LBAspotter could be right in that it's in a dangerous position and I know there have been numerous accidents in that location over the years. Access to the other side of the hill can't be blocked as it's also access to one of the airport's crashgates. #planetreehill

 

[White Heather]

I agree, it is a dangerous entrance. As previously stated it is common land so cannot be developed unless replaced with other common land. I had read rumours about travellers moving on there (who have been in Horsforth recently) and there was a suggestion this was to stop them doing so, but I have no idea really. Only the council, or councillor will be in a position to advise. I will see if I can find out anything via my councillor contact, but it might take a while!

 

[ls27]

White Heather it was Common Land some years ago. The City has to have a certain amount of Common Land. I remember some years ago that Plane Tree Hill Common Land was swapped for a piece of land in the Horsforth area so that Plane Tree Hill could to be used for Airport purposes. It was at the time when the notices were put up banning certain activities.

 

[a300boy]

So if its common land can the council dent access to it ?

 

[ls27]

It was common land, but now the title was exchanged with another parcel of land somewhere in the Horforth area, Plane Tree Hill is under Leeds City Control. It was designated for airport use at the time. In fact I think that the new hanger encroached on the land. Gosh you are taking me back many years. It was well before I retired 11 years ago

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The state of the surface by the other entrance means ony off roaders will be able to get onto the hill. Plus i cant see parking being allowed on the acccess road beacause it must be kept clear for emergency vehicles. Could mean parkingin yeadon and walking up.

 

[yorkie40]

The last time i went up there the place was a right old state there is a problem with fly tipping maybe that's why the council have shut it off? I've never thought its that good up there for spotting to be honest

 

[armadillomaster]

Is this the same place as I call "Bombholes"?

 

[Aviador]

Never thought to say but yes.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Its going to become the new viewing area for those of us who want to watch work on the option B airport link road being undertaken.
Its going to double as also the new raised airport viewing area for the 2030 master plan.

 

[lbaspotter]

The following Sign has appeared on the said gate up on the Plane Tree Hill Entrance.

 

[whoshotjimmi]

The good news at least is that the area has been closed only due to fly tipping concerns and not for development purposes. This means that letters of complaint regarding the destruction of years of history, memories, family bonding and fresh air and exercise may yet prove to be a useful tool in fighting the council and the frankly shameful closing of this important recreational area. Just look at the pictorial history from that location on this website alone. Sadly, the minority have ruined it for the majority and the council have responded in a typically predictable way.

The closure will no doubt have an unintended effect in that many people will believe that the airport itself has something to do with this, leading to negative local opinion. Whilst I am sure that this decision will not be as unpopular as, say, an unnamed cycle lane in the county, there will still be a reasonable amount of discontent. Moreover, if the council have seen fit to do this here, will they consider something similar in other, well known viewing locations?

 

[White Heather]

They don't own the other well known viewing area so they can't. I have had it confirmed by a councillor who sent a plan, which shows that nobody owns it!! They do own the bit round the corner though, facing North with the cemetary behind you. All rather odd particularly as they definitely used to own it, and they provide and empty litter bins. They own the cemetary but not the road outside it where spotters congregate.

 

[a300boy]

Good news then !
At least they cannot sell it for house building.

 

[yorkie40]

Heather they must own the other well known area who painted the double yellow lines? Who emptied the bins?

 

[Aviador]

Well I am not surprised the council and Police have taken this action. I mentioned my parents live close to Plane Tree Hill. Over the years the hill has been subject to all sorts of abuse with fly tipping, drug dealing, dogging. Airport associated incidents have included laser pens pointed at aircraft & fireworks set off towards the runway. When I worked at the airport someone even said a handgun had been found on the hill. So clearly the Police and Leeds City Council have had enough. To be honest though, the amount of money wasted on sending airport security, the Police and the council parks ranger to the site to stop or prevent antisocial behavior must have been costing a packet. These days councils don't have the resources to keep doing that.

 

[ls27]

It all depends on what the Traffic Order said at the time the Cemetery Road diversion was made.If they are putting yellow lines down then it's odds on that it is still a highway maintained at public expense.I will try and contact a former colleague who still works for highways and who is the assets manager. As far as emptying the litter bins, that is environmental services or what ever thy are called these days. Highways are normally know as what is maintained by the Highway Authority and not what is owned. The Authority is Leeds City Council and not the Highways Department.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

When are yellow lines not yellow lines.
We have had double yellow put down outside where I live to deter parking.
I was told they were not enforceable but hopefully would put people off from parking, which is what us residents wanted.
Whilst I try not to to park outside I did leave the car on th double yellow lines recently to get a parking ticket.
When I rang up and suggest the lines were not legally enforceable the lady said she would ring back.
Within 30 minutes she rang back to advise the ticket would be cancelled and advised the traffic warden had issued a ticket and taken pictures of me as I was on double yellow lines but as I lived there and knew the regulations it would be cancelled. They were going to instruct wardens to check the ownership of cars parked in future and if local residents, ignore for ticket issue. I assume out of towners wont have a clue about local conditions and pay up. Certainly by OH goes out if anyone parks and points to the road signs and yellow lines and suggests they move.
Parking is a major issue in my area and I was happy that if I or other locals parked for a short time we would not get a ticket, something we were advised when the scheme put in place.
It may be the Cemetary road has double yellow lines but that the regulations needed to be published to enforce never happened as in our case.
The local authority is trying to be fair to locals and discourage parking, we used to have cars parked for two weeks etc whilst people went away, avoiding airport parking charges, but blocking gateways, emergency vehicle access etc.