Status of Official Contact
It is important to note that we have yet to receive direct contact from our MP or Leeds City Council (LCC) on this matter. However, our Ward Councillor has been fully briefed and will be receiving a comprehensive evidence package from the Collective by the 7-day timeline outlined in our last update. This dossier is now near completion and will be formally submitted to ensure our community's position is a matter of official record.
Precedent and Visual Amenity
We are reminding the Council of the clear precedent already set on our estate. A previous application for a single telecommunications mast (opposite the library) was rightly refused on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the area.
If the Council determined that one single mast was too damaging to the character of Whinmoor, then the proposed installation of hundreds of poles and a network of overhead wires—affecting the visual amenity of every street and building—must be met with the same standard of refusal. We expect the Council to remain consistent with their own prior planning determinations.
Current Status and Suspension
Following our formal stance, Giggle has now confirmed a suspension of works while we await a legal determination from Leeds City Council. We are treating this as a formal standstill. As many of you have already verified through public records, SCD Group and Giggle share the same ownership.
Although the ownership is the same, both the operator and the contractor will be held responsible for their respective roles. As the operator, Giggle is responsible for the planning and delivery of the network. As the contractor, SCD is responsible for the implementation; they remain fully accountable for ensuring they deliver safe work and strictly follow all industry regulations.
The Garforth Evidence and Professional Support
We are currently cross-referencing our estate’s specific planning restrictions with evidence gathered from the Garforth rollout, including procedural discrepancies not yet disclosed in public correspondence.
It has been incredibly encouraging to have residents who are specialists in these fields volunteer their time and expertise to support the Collective. Having professional eyes on our strategy ensures we are doing the right thing for the community and holding the providers to the highest legal standards. We are submitting our "Pattern of Conduct" evidence directly to the relevant enforcement authorities to ensure a high-level review.
Equality Act Compliance and Property Rights
We are continuing to map the estate for Equality Act 2010 compliance. If your household requires specific access for mobility aids or visual impairments, please ensure this is logged with us at whinmoorcommunitycollective@gmail.com. This creates a documented safety risk that must legally be addressed. We are also continuing our review of the 1978 original planning conditions, identifying specific Reserved Matters that we believe strictly prohibit the overhead infrastructure being proposed.
Thank You for Your Support
We want to say a massive thank you for all the evidence and support shared so far—the response has been overwhelming. Whether it’s sharing accounts of residency or highlighting specific site risks, every piece of information strengthens our master legal file.
The strength of this campaign lies in our numbers and our collective knowledge. Please continue sharing these updates with neighbours and include your name and address in any emails so we can verify your representation within the Collective.
Whinmoor Community Collective