Plans for 267 homes put on ice
COUNCILLORS HAVE deferred their decision on controversial plans to develop 267 homes at a Calderdale site.
Initially a majority of Calderdale Council Planning Committee members wanted to refuse the plans, submitted by Engle, Yorkshire Housing and Thornhill Estates for land at New Hey Road, Delf Hill, Shannon Road and Mount Lane, Brighouse.
But they were clearly warned by the council’s Service Lead for Planning, Richard Seaman, that if the decision was taken to appeal it would be very difficult to defend, and defeat could be costly. Areas of concern highlighted had been assessed by planning officers and on balance, under National Planning Policy Framework guidelines, they had concluded benefits of the scheme outweighed potential harm which might be done and were acceptable subject to conditions, he said.
To support a refusal at appeal, specific instances of where harm would outweigh benefit would have to be detailed – general concerns would not be enough, councillors were told.
Residents and councillors head earlier voiced their worries. Coun Chris Pillai (Con, Rastrick) summarised concerns about the suitability of access to the site, infrastructure concerns, parking, pollution and air quality, loss of wildlife and the land’s proximity to a 78home development proposed for an adjacent site which he said would further exacerbate all these points.
A majority of councillors felt doubts remained and eventually agreed to defer a decision for further discussions to take place.
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