Thorner is an ancient village dating back to a Saxon settlement and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Though only eight miles from Leeds is it set within an area of glorious and relatively unspoilt arable farmland countryside and retains a unique village identity. A regular bus service links Thorner with Leeds, Wetherby and Harrogate.
With a population of just over 1,500, Thorner is a thriving and active village with several amenities including a school and pre-school, cricket and football pitches, bowling green, shop, Post Office, playground, GP surgery, hairdresser, three public houses, and restaurant. There is also an Anglican Church nestled at the foot of Church Hill, adjacent to Millennium Green.
There is always something going on in Thorner, more often than not at one of the two village halls, Victory Hall and the Parish Centre, with groups and activities to cater for all.
Bus movements through Thorner for Leeds Festival
Dear Thorner Residents,
You should all have received letters from Festival Republic, ahead of Leeds Festival taking place again at Bramham Park.
Thorner Parish Council arranged an Extraordinary Parish Council meeting on Thursday 6th August to meet with representatives of Festival Republic and Leeds City Council’s Festival Working group. This meeting was advertised and open to the public.
Ongoing roadworks on the A1M/M1 this year will severely affect traffic coming to and leaving the Bramham Festival site. This will create delays, with the potential consequence that departing visitors may walk along the A64 or through Thorner, creating a risk to life and/or nuisance in the village similar to several years ago.
Leeds City Council Highways Department, West Yorkshire Police and Festival Republic, has decided that buses departing the Festival site will leave as normal, towards Bramham / Thorner Lane and West Woods Road. Buses will have collected on site during the day, via route outside of Thorner.
Empty buses, returning to site from Leeds Train/Bus stations, will transit one-way through Thorner from approximately 22:00hrs each evening. Buses using Thorner will be limited to those returning to collect additional passengers. No pick-ups en-route are permitted. This may result in around 80 local bus movements each night.
The arrangement will be a one-off event, imposed due to the motorway works.
Buses carrying departing Festival goers will not travel through the village, excepting the final night, as in prior years.
Assurance was given that Taxis will NOT be permitted to use this route.
Councillor Alistair Scott
The Chair
Thorner Parish Council
Leeds Local Plan
The public consultation on the Leeds Local Plan which is a planning framework for development from 2022 - 2042, has begun and it will last until 15th September 2025
To support this consultation, Leeds City Council has arranged a series of community drop-in events across the District.
These events will offer an opportunity to learn more about the draft plan, ask questions, and share your views in person.
In addition, all consultation materials and supporting information will be available online via our dedicated platform, where your comments can also be made:
https://leedslocalplan.commonplace.is/
The Parish Council is encouraging you to register on the platform to receive updates and notifications, but alos to make comment to help shape what development takes place in Thorner as well as shaping a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking vision for the Leeds District through to 2042.
If you have any questions please contact the Leeds Local Plans Team
www.leeds.gov.uk/localplan For more information use the following link - https://share.google/9E9L4fK3qdiDRGabh
Neighbourhood Plan
For the latest development of the project, please see section under header Community Information.
Parish Council Vacancy.
There is currently a vacancy on Thorner Parish Council following a recent resignation.
The vacancy can be filled by Co – Option as no election has been requested.
Co -Option is a process whereby the Parish Council consider written applications received from interested persons who are eligible, at a Parish Council meeting and invite the applicant to attend the meeting to support their application.
The Parish Council then select someone from the applications received.
If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, send an application in writing to thornerparishcouncil@gmail.com and include details on your application of why you would like to become a councillor and what you are able to contribute.
If you need any information about qualification for being a Parish Councillor or just want more information about the role, please contact Barry Riley, Clerk to the Council at the above e-mail address.
Thorner Flood Allevation Scheme
Leeds City Council are looking to undertake a flood risk scheme within Thorner.
To develop this, they are required to undertake some ecology surveys
Mott MacDonald is the consultant who will be undertaking the surveys. Anna Horton (Anna.horton@mottmac.com) is the lead consultant on this scheme and will be best placed to answer any question you may have about the surveys.
Helen Knight - helen.knight@leeds.gov.uk
Leeds City Council Flood Risk Management
Flood Warning
The Environment Agency provides a Free Flood Warning Service for at flood risk residents. You can check to see if your property is at flood risk by either ringing the Environment Agency’s Floodline number on 0345 988 1188 or by following this link https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings.
Holding an event on Millennium Green
To hold any event or to undertake recreational activities on Millennium Green, requires the permission of the Parish Council, as the organiser has to adhere to a number of terms and conditions:
Please contact the Clerk for an application form.
Meeting Dates
Meeting dates 2025
List of Members
May 2025.