RUN-DOWN play areas across Aireborough are set to benefit from a share of nearly £400,000.

The money has been generated as a result of various housing developments gaining planning permission in Yeadon and Guiseley - and an Aireborough community organisation will have its say on how the cash is spent in the area.

Previously Leeds City Council has decided where the money should be spent but now some say will be put into the hands of the Aireborough Community Involvement Team (CIT) and local residents.

The total generated from five major developments to date is £339,237 and Leeds City Council planning officers are hoping it will be implemented shortly.

Aireborough CIT Chairman Councillor Graham Latty (Cons, Aireborough) said the cash will hopefully be spent in areas he described as the CIT's 'wish list'.

Residents are hoping the money could be spent regenerating Nethermoor Park, Micklefield Park, Yeadon Tarn and the old railway footpath from Henshaw Lane.

He said: "In the past the Parks and Countryside Division has had a large input into what should happen with this money and consultation with members and with the community has been minimal - this is going to change.

"This is a significant move in the right direction and it should have happened a long time ago.

"We really want to see it happen. If we haven't got some of the money spent by the end of this year then I shall be making a fuss about it."

Coun Latty said that it was important that the community contributed its ideas.

"We will have meetings and we will depute to our planning and environment sub-committee the power to discuss with Leeds City Council's planners and the Countryside Service on where we feel the money should be directed after consulting fully with the people of Aireborough," he added.

"CIT members know what is needed and where the money needs to be spent.

"We will consult with the Council to make sure that what we want is practical and if it is we will push for it to go forward."

Leeds City Council planning officer Paul Gough told the CIT's meeting last Thursday that he would be happy to meet with groups about this and take suggestions about how the money could be spent.

"We would very much like a hit list to see which are the priorities and what they need," said Mr Gough.

"The funds generated are absolutely enormous - there is more than £2million we are spending around £600,000 per annum.

"Up to three years ago we were spending hardly anything.

"We are very open to suggestions in particular CITs to see how they would like us to use it.

"It is important we receive ideas for spending the money.

"We have to agree the scheme, then the design and then go through planning and go out to tender.

"It can take several months but it is important that we do go through these steps.

"When we do have an agreed scheme the planning office will write up the scheme and then go through city hall."

l The money from developers comes in the form of a Section 106 agreement, which is a sum agreed with Leeds city planners and can be used for a number of things such as green space provision and road improvements.