Business park plan passed by councillors

COUNCILLORS HAVE given the go-ahead for the next stage of a multi-million pound business park at Brighouse.

Calderdale Council agreed with officers that the latest stage of the council’s plans for Clifton Business Park, a 63-acre site off Coal Pit Lane, should be approved.

Planning lead Richard Seaman said outline plans had been passed in December 2019 with this application covering infrastructure within the site, including layout, ecological features and lighting, with detailed proposals about the units still to come.

Agent for the scheme, Yatin Mistry, said when completed, the business park would benefit Calderdale.

“It will enable a much needed employment site to come forward and deliver around 1,300 jobs,” he said.

But Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse), who does not have a vote on the committee but spoke on behalf of residents, said there were a large number of objections.

He had concerns about traffic being brought to a standstill with the numbers of vehicles which would be using the site.

“We need a controlled junction on Clifton Common, it is an extremely busy junction. The bottom of Clifton Common is gridlocked at the best of times,” he said.

Highways officer Andrew Dmoch said traffic issues had been considered at the outline stage and planners were happy with the proposals.

Coun Blagbrough was also worried the development might worsen flooding problems and he had air and light pollution concerns, and thought more planting would be needed to screen the site.

Objecting to the plans, Clifton resident Jason Shoesmith said he found that the proposals for an industrial estate which was only yards away from homes to be unacceptable.