Go-ahead for homes near beauty spot despite objections

NEW HOMES are to be built near a Calderdale beauty spot despite residents’ objections over the ‘ugly, intrusive’ designs.

Calderdale Council’s planning committee agreed to allow applicant Richard Smith’s plans for the 14-home development at Crimsworth Dyeworks in Hebden Bridge.

Members were told that the site is close to the National Trust’s Hardcastle Crags nature reserve.

Coun David Kirton said the development was clearly in an area of natural beauty.

But he added that he was happy to approve the plans for the former industrial site as the housing would be an improvement on the current use of the land.

Thirty objections had been received about the site, many about the design, according to the briefing papers to councillors.

Objector Helen Flage said the development would be in the most valued and beautiful landscape in the borough.

“But the design will be ugly, intrusive and not in keeping with the architecture of the area, and should be refused,” she said.

Ms Flage claimed the design was more fit for a town centre, and the “random” assortment of windows and doors meaning it would be “visibly jarring”.

“The character is not suitable for this site at all and it will act as a blot on the landscape of a beauty spot in Calderdale,” she said.

The council’s planning lead, Richard Seaman, said the draft planning report had been referred to a barrister before it was published.

David Smith ran the dyeworks until 2009, when he sold the business to another company to save 23 jobs. He still owns the site.

His agents also pointed out that the project would help to protect Green Belt land from development.