From heatwaves to flooding: What the latest data tells us about Moortown Ward
As Moortown experiences another spell of exceptionally hot weather, a new ward briefing from Friends of the Earth provides a timely snapshot of the environmental challenges facing our community.
Drawing together official data from organisations including Defra, the Environment Agency and the Met Office, the briefing highlights issues including home insulation, air quality, tree cover, flood risk and sewage pollution. It reminds us that climate change isn't a future problem – it's already affecting where we live, from hotter summers and increased flood risk to higher energy bills and poorer air quality.
During the 2022 heatwaves, temperatures in Moortown reached 38.5°C. Given the temperatures we've seen this summer, that figure may already have been exceeded, although updated ward-level data has not yet been published.
The report doesn't just identify the challenges – it also highlights where practical action, both locally and nationally, could make a real difference.
Warmer homes, lower bills
The briefing estimates that 6,188 homes in Moortown are below EPC C, meaning 61% of homes would benefit from better insulation. That ranks Moortown 10th out of Leeds' 33 wards for the number of homes needing improvement.
For many households, that means higher energy bills, colder homes in winter and unnecessary carbon emissions.
Liberal Democrats have consistently called for a nationwide home insulation programme to help cut bills and reduce our reliance on expensive fossil fuels. We've also successfully campaigned for all new homes to be fitted with solar panels, helping homeowners save money from day one while generating clean energy.
Cleaner air for everyone
Moortown ranks 20th out of Leeds' 33 wards for air pollution. In parts of the ward, nitrogen dioxide levels reach 13.8 µg/m³, above the World Health Organisation guideline of 10 µg/m³, while fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) averages 7.4 µg/m³, compared with the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Poor air quality affects everyone, but particularly children, older people and those living with respiratory conditions.
Liberal Democrats are calling for a new Clean Air Act based on World Health Organisation guidelines, backed by an independent Clean Air Agency. Here in Leeds, we support neighbourhood transport plans that improve air quality while recognising that different communities have different transport needs. That means better buses, safer walking and cycling routes, sensible traffic management and ensuring people who rely on their cars can still travel around the city without unnecessary frustration.
More trees, healthier neighbourhoods
Tree canopy currently covers just 11.6% of Moortown, well below the recommended minimum of 20%.
Trees do far more than make our streets look attractive. They help improve air quality, provide shade during heatwaves, reduce flood risk and support wildlife, while access to green spaces is proven to benefit both physical and mental wellbeing.
Leeds Liberal Democrats want to see more street tree planting, better protection for mature trees and continued investment in our parks and green spaces so that Moortown becomes greener, healthier and more resilient.
Preparing for a changing climate
The report estimates that 222 homes are currently at high risk of flooding, with that figure potentially rising to 457 homes as climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather.
Preparing for those risks means planning ahead, not simply reacting after flooding has happened.
Liberal Democrats are calling for greater investment in flood prevention and climate resilience. We also believe new developments should include sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) as standard, and that homes should not be built in areas at high risk of flooding unless robust mitigation measures are in place.
Cleaning up our rivers
The briefing highlights that five sewage outfalls in Moortown discharged sewage 125 times during 2025, for a total of 541 hours.
Residents are rightly frustrated that water companies continue to pollute our rivers and waterways.
Liberal Democrats have led the campaign for stronger action against water companies, including tougher regulation, meaningful penalties for persistent polluters and the investment needed to end sewage dumping once and for all.
Turning evidence into action
Environmental action isn't just about protecting nature. It's about healthier communities, lower household bills, cleaner air and ensuring Moortown is ready for the future.
It's also an opportunity to grow the green economy, creating skilled jobs, supporting local businesses and strengthening our economy as we transition to cleaner technologies.
Leeds Liberal Democrats have already shown that practical environmental policies can make a difference, successfully campaigning for the introduction of kerbside glass recycling and the removal of bulky waste charges, making it easier for residents to recycle and reduce waste.
We also believe local people should have a genuine voice in shaping environmental policy. That's why Liberal Democrats support citizens' assemblies at both local and national level, ensuring communities are directly involved in decisions about tackling climate change and protecting nature.
This Friends of the Earth briefing provides a valuable picture of the challenges facing Moortown, but it should also be a call to action. If we want cleaner air, warmer homes, greener streets and a community that's resilient to the changing climate, we need practical solutions backed by evidence and shaped by local people.
That's the approach Leeds Liberal Democrats will continue to champion.