THE BUILDING of three new primary schools in Aireborough and Horsforth will go ahead - after planners pushed for the use of natural materials.

Concerns were raised last week about plans for replacement schools Rawdon Littlemoor and Yeadon South View Juniors and extensions to Horsforth St Margaret's because of the planned use of artificial stone and aluminium roofs.

Leeds City Council's Plans Panel West refused to give approval to the three Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes because they were unhappy with the designs.

Members referred to the plans as being more suitable for a city centre and described the planned Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School as a 'glorified cattle shed'.

But following a special meeting on Monday when changes were made to the designs, the schemes will now go ahead.

Yeadon South View will now be constructed fully out of natural stone as will the New Road Side of Rawdon Littlemoor. Horsforth St Margaret's will also feature more natural stone.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: "Plans Panel West met on Monday to discuss the design and materials of four proposed school buildings. Resolutions on these matters had been carried over from the previous panel meeting on March 18.

"Members noted the significant changes and work done to improve the designs and materials since March 18. They supported and approved all four schools with the condition that South View Primary at Yeadon be constructed fully in natural stone and that the stone to be used at New Road Side, Rawdon, be natural stone rather than artificial.

"Horsforth St Margaret's School will also have an increased amount of natural materials used in its construction."