HERB planters have been put in place at a new “pocket park” in Guiseley.

Once the herbs are established at the Guiseley Wells Pocket Park they will be available for the use of residents.

The installation of the planters was one of the first tasks undertaken by new group the Friends of Springfield Park and Guiseley Wells. The area will be looked after by the friends and other groups.

Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum Chairwoman Jennifer Kirkby is acting secretary of the friends group.

She said: “Guiseley Wells was improved with a Heritage Lottery Grant at the millennium by Guiseley Wells Society including the carving of the dragon stone (a copy of the Anglo/Viking crosses in St Oswalds) – before it was a gloomy area that had fallen into disrepair. When Linden Homes built the houses on Springhead Mill the area opposite the Wells was earmarked for a community space – but it has taken a long time to develop. Linden Homes put down tarmac and then cars started using it as a car park.

“Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum got involved in 2014 to try and develop the Community Space – we held a Pocket Park consultation at Easter 2018 and residents helped develop ideas for what they wanted to see. “Since then the Forum has been trying to put everything in place with Leeds City Council and Linden to get the park up and running. New paving was put down by Linden Homes in December 2018.”

The friends group was formed to look after the area in conjunction with other groups such as Guiseley in Bloom, Incredible Edible Aireborough, Litter Free Guiseley, Guiseley Theatre, Codswallop CIC and Guiseley Wells Society.

Ms Kirkby said: “We are hoping this will now be used as a community space, and local churches have already expressed an interest in holding outdoor services there. Other ideas include small farmers markets and an area for the Guiseley Lights Street Markets.”