A new antisocial behaviour and noise service is being rolled out by a new partnership service between Leeds universities and Leeds City Council.
The council has reported that a unique service tackling anti-social behaviour and noise has been launched in Headingley, Hyde Park, Little Woodhouse and Burley this week.
The partnership between the council and its two biggest universities, University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University are behind the new service.
The dedicated service is a national first, and involves Leeds Beckett University and University of Leeds funding overnight patrols, seven days a week, by council response officers. The officers will work exclusively on noise and anti-social behaviour issues in inner north-west Leeds including areas that are known for having a heavy student population like Hyde Park, Headingley, Little Woodhouse and Burley.
At present, the LS6 postcode has the highest number of noise nuisance complaints in Leeds: collecting 1,892 complaints in the first half of 2021 alone.
These figures were also collected during various states of lockdown, when many students opted to stay at home and could not return to their accommodation after the Christmas holiday period until restrictions eased.
Reports of car windows being smashed, 72 hour parties and a constant stream of celebrations that eat into the early hours are just some of the issues that local residents have spoken out about.
The new officers will carry out patrols to identify and stop potential issues from escalating while also providing capacity to respond to more calls, more quickly.
The partnership is said to provide additional call-handling capacity at weekends and during peak times throughout the year, including seasons like Freshers’ week and end of assessments party periods.
The partnership is set to monitor and regularly share updates on the performance and impact of the service, and hold termly meetings with residents' association leaders as part of its plan to tackle noise and anti-social behaviour.
Hyde Park is known in Leeds as an area popular with students. / Image: Sugar House
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“While universities make an incredibly positive contribution to Leeds’ culture and economy, we also recognise that some issues can arise in all communities with a student population.
“While these issues are not unique to Leeds, our response is. The dedicated service is a national first, building on years of partnership and listening to communities.”
Despite of the new dedicated patrol service, there are no changes to how anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance are reported.
Between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, or if you do not require an immediate response, call 0113 222 4402 or 0113 376 0337 outside of these hours (5pm - 4am).
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Otley is now bidding to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture in 2028
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Sophie Smith -
1st March 2022 
