Concerns for residents’ safety if traffic priority work is delayed

CONCERNS have been raised that changing a planning condition of a housing development could “put future occupants at risk”.

The Willows is a 44-house development being built next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Silsden.

Skipton Properties plans for the housing estate were approved by Bradford Council in 2021, with one of the conditions being that a traffic priority scheme and a new footpath extension be built before any of the homes are occupied.

The issue of highway safety on Hainsworth Road – the main access to the site – was a key issue when a planning panel decided approved the plans.

But now Skipton Properties has applied to Bradford Council to change this condition so the work does not need to be completed before houses are occupied.

Instead the developer wants the condition to require the highways works to be completed before the occupation of the 30th house on the estate.

The application says: “Part of the condition requires the approved works to have been implemented before the occupation of any dwelling.

“Works are progressing to the point where house sales are anticipated in June 2024.

“However, the council has yet to complete the necessary legal agreements to allow completion of the Traffic Priority Scheme in accordance with the terms of the condition.

“It is therefore proposed to vary the condition such that the required works are implemented before the occupation of the 30th dwelling on site.

“It is therefore proposed to vary Condition 8 to read: ‘The Proposed Priority Working Scheme shall be implemented in accordance with these approved details prior to the occupation of the 30th dwelling.’”

Silsden Town Council has urged planners to dismiss this request. In a letter to Bradford Council planners, the Town Council says: “This condition was included to ensure all necessary safety work was completed before any dwelling was occupied, if this amendment is allowed any of the occupants or their visitors will be put at unnecessary risk.

“The safety of the public must come before profit for the developer.”

Another person to object to the change is Silsden resident Stuart Clarkson, who also spoke against the plans when the came to the committee in 2021.

His latest objection says: “the councillors on the committee made it clear that highway safety was a legitimate concern with the proposed development at The Willows because of the pinch point where the road narrows on the access route.

“What is to stop the developer coming back and saying they want to change the condition again to after all the homes are occupied? And then to request to scrap it completely?

“There is a clear paper trail showing that councillors and Council officers have highlighted the need for the priority working scheme to mitigate the risks of increased traffic flow on this stretch of road.”

A decision on the latest application is expected next month.