Jack Colmer says the DIY project was a response to "shameful" photos of rubbish in Hyde Park, Leeds.

Roger Harrabin
BBC environment analyst

The news that the government needs more time to consider Leeds Bradford Airport's £150m expansion plans matters because seven other airports as well as Leeds Bradford also want to expand their operations.

They will all be less optimistic about their proposals, following today’s decision.

To be clear, the Leeds plan isn’t dead - but it doesn’t bode well for the airport that housing, communities and local government secretary Robert Jenrick says he needs more time to decide whether to kill it or not.

His note to the airport didn’t spell out his reasoning, but it’s reasonable to assume Mr Jenrick wanted to avoid another bruising like the one he suffered recently after tacitly approving a plan for a coal mine in Cumbria. He was forced into a U-turn on that issue.

So when will we get a final ruling? The government won’t say. But my guess is we’ll have to wait for the government’s transport decarbonation strategy due in coming months that will show how all emissions from transport can be reduced.

A plan to expand Leeds Bradford Airport could still be called in by the government, with housing, communities and local government secretary Robert Jenrick now saying he needs more time to consider his final decision.

Image source, Leeds Bradford Airport

The £150m expansion plans - to demolish existing buildings and create a new terminal - were approved in February by Leeds City Council, despite local opposition.

At the time, airport chairman Andy Clarke said the expansion would provide "significant improvements, benefits to the regional economy and an improved passenger experience."

But objectors, including the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport, said the plans would contribute to climate change.

A date for the decision has not been set, but the government has put in place an order which prevents Leeds City Council from granting planning permission without special authorisation.

Seven fire crews and an aerial appliance are still tackling a large fire at South Yorkshire recycling centre this afternoon.

Image source, SYFRS

Balby Carr Bank is currently closed at the junction of Woodfield Way to enable firefighters to tackle the blaze at the centre on Carr Hill, Balby, Doncaster.

It's not yet clear when the road will be re-opened.

Eight fire crews were initially called to the scene just after 21:00 on Monday evening. At its height, 12 fire engines were at the site.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said: "There's a lot of smoke in the area. Officers are asking residents to keep windows and doors closed if this is affecting you.

"Motorists travelling in the area are also being advised to keep their windows and air vents closed and to turn off their air conditioning.

"The safety messages remain the same: to keep doors and windows closed if you are being affected by the smoke."

The cause of the fire is not yet known. A fire investigation is due to begin once the blaze is completely out, the service said.

Sixty firefighters have been working through the night to put out the fire in Doncaster.

Two people from Sheffield have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 31-year-old man died following a stabbing in Derbyshire, police say.

Image source, Google

Ricky Collins died in hospital after being found in Killamarsh at 22:00 BST on 29 March, according to Derbyshire Constabulary.

A 24-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, both from Sheffield, were detained on Monday and remain in custody, police said.

A 16-year-old boy from Sheffield held on suspicion of murder, has been bailed pending further inquiries, officers added.

Mr Collins, from Sheffield, was found injured after officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a house in Westthorpe Road.

He'd sustained stab wounds and died later in hospital, the force said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police.

Buyers say they hope to turn the land into "high-quality" business units, creating up to 100 jobs.

These pictures show the aftermath when a bin lorry overturned and blocked a major junction in Leeds.

Image source, PA Media

The HGV overturned at the junction of A61 East Street and A63 South Accommodation Road on Monday morning.

The driver of the lorry suffered minor injuries, say West Yorkshire Police.

There were no arrests at the incident, the force adds.

The vehicle's windscreen was smashed and police officers had to sweep sand across the busy junction to cover a fuel leak.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

An appeal for witnesses has been launched after two people died in a collision on the M1 near Sheffield, police say.

Image source, Google

A white Volkswagon Golf left the M1 northbound carriageway between junctions 30 and 31 near Woodhall, at about 19:30 BST on Saturday, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The driver of the Golf is believed to have lost control, "causing the car to leave the road and collide with the barrier and several trees before coming to rest on its roof," police said.

Two men from Sheffield, aged 22 and 20, were pronounced dead at the scene, the force said. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

A police spokesperson said: "We are asking any witnesses to the collision, or anyone who witnessed the Golf prior, to get in touch.

"We're especially keen to hear from anyone with dash cam footage which captured the Golf travelling along the M1 between 19:00 and 19:30."

The amount of litter left in Scarborough over the Easter weekend has been described as "appalling".

Image source, Mick Couzens

The town was busy over the bank holiday with visitors heading to the coast during the good weather.

Gabrielle Naptali helps run a Scarborough-based Facebook page called No More Trash.

She said: "The litter situation is appalling. We're witnessing a wholesale offensive of contamination.

"It's people dumping really, littering doesn't really say it.

"As No More Trash we're gathering together an army of local litter pickers, people who really care and want to make a change."

Image source, Mick Couzens

Ms Napatali said people need to "take responsibility" for their rubbish. She added that part of the process of raising awareness is litter pickers talking to people, so offenders see the human impact.

She said so far that's been "the most successful tactic, because it humanises the process."

Firefighters in South Yorkshire have released pictures of a huge blaze at a recycling plant overnight.

Image source, SYFRS

Emergency services were called to the blaze at a scrap metal recycling plant on Carr Hill Bank in Balby, Doncaster just after 21:00 BST, according to the fire service.

At its height 60 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service say there is still smoke in the area.

Image source, SYFRS

Officers are asking residents to keep windows and doors closed.

Motorists have been advised to "close windows and air vents and turn off air con".

The fire service says: "Road closures remain in place, so please continue to avoid the area."

Image source, SYFRS

Balby Carr Bank is currently closed at the junction of Woodfield Way due to the fire.

Writing on social media, external Doncaster Council said: "It's not clear when the road will be re-opened, but we will keep you posted."

A man and woman are arrested after Ricky Collins died following a stabbing in Derbyshire.

About 40 firefighters are at the scene of a fire which broke out overnight at a South Yorkshire recycling plant.

Image source, SYFRS

Emergency services were called to the blaze at a scrap metal recycling plant on Carr Hill Bank in Balby, Doncaster just after 21:00, according to the fire service.

At its height, 60 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service say there is still smoke in the area.

Officers are asking residents to keep windows and doors closed.

Motorists have been advised to "close windows and air vents and turn off air con".

The fire service says: "Road closures remain in place, so please continue to avoid the area."

Sheffield Wednesday move to within six points of Championship safety as they hammer Cardiff City 5-0.

Port Vale ease to victory at Harrogate as Rebecca Welch makes history as the first woman appointed to officiate a game in the English Football League.

First-half goals from Luke Norris and Clayton Donaldson mean play-off chasing pair Stevenage and Bradford have to settle for a point apiece.

Luke McCormick's double revives Bristol Rovers' hopes of avoiding relegation from League One with a 2-1 home win over Doncaster.

The M1 near Sheffield was closed on Sunday night as police carried out an investigation.

Coronavirus is clearly a virus that affects our nervous system - and it appears to have an impact on the brain's sleep patterns.

Stephen Hendry says he is keeping "expectations down" about his comeback and his only goal is to make the main draw of the World Championship.