Plans for a new housing development on the site of the former Lumb Lane Nurseries in Almondbury have been given the go-ahead, despite masses of objection.
Last week, the application seeking permission to develop the site went before Kirklees Council’s District-wide Planning Committee. Applicant – B Marsden can now construct four properties on the site, though locals and several members of the committee were not in favour. Originally, the plans had sought approval for five properties.
While the site sits within the green belt, a supporting document on behalf of the applicant describes it as a “prime example” of grey belt land – an area that has been previously developed or does not strongly contribute to the green belt and could be considered suitable for development. Though not every member of the panel, or residents, were convinced that this was the case.
Over the course of the planning process, 93 comments were made by members of the public, 89 of which were in objection. One of whom, Susie Ellis, attended the meeting to voice “strong opposition”. Ms Ellis named the application’s “overriding issue” as the impact of the proposed housing on a neighbouring property. She explained that the homes would face directly into a private garden and living area which would lead to a “significant and unacceptable” loss of privacy.
Traffic increases, potential for overdevelopment, the impact on the openness of the site, and the weighting being given to the land being described as grey belt, were also raised as key issues.
Another member of the public, Janine Riley, added: “These proposals are harmful and would take away more than they give. They do not assist in safeguarding the countryside as required by NPPF 143c, the area is a resource for all of us. Please help to keep it special and refuse this application.”
Applicant, Ben Marsden, was also in attendance. Mr Marsden said he had commissioned a heritage expert to ensure the plans were compliant with planning policy and that the development would create eight to 10 local jobs and help remedy Kirklees’ housing shortage. He added: “While the scheme has received local objections in the immediate vicinity, it is not uncompliant with planning policy, and in the wider area of Almondbury, the scheme has been viewed positively online.”
When it came to making a decision, a vote was initially taken to turn down the plans, with this proposed and seconded by Cllr Cathy Scott (Dewsbury East, Community Alliance), and Cllr Donna Bellamy (Holme Valley North, Con). This was on the grounds that the use of the site would be intensified and have a negative impact on highways safety and heritage, as well as concerns around the site’s grey belt classification, but did not achieve a majority.
In the end, the application was passed, with Cllrs Mohan Sokhal (Labour, Greenhead), Eric Firth (Labour, Dewsbury East) and Sheikh Ullah (Labour, Greenhead), voting in favour, Cllrs Scott, Bellamy, and Paola Davies (Lib Dems, Almondbury) voting against, and Cllrs Sue Lee-Richards (Greens, Newsome), and Zahid Kahut (Batley West, Independent), abstaining. With the vote being a tie, Chair of the meeting, Cllr Ullah, got the casting vote which granted planning permission.
