Sponsored by
Garforth Cliff: Housing plans approved... year after rejection
Controversial proposals for a housing development in Garforth have got the go-ahead – less than a year after they were rejected by council bosses.
Wheatley Construction's application for permission to build 78 homes on greenfield land off the A63 Selby Road at Garforth Cliff was refused by Leeds City Council in January.
Now, though, the Government's planning inspectorate has overturned the council's decision following an appeal by Garforth-based Wheatley.
That verdict has been greeted with anger by councillors, who are urging the local authority to fight it through the courts.
Coun Mark Dobson (Lab, Garforth & Swillington) said: "This perverse decision flies in the face of common sense.
"I believe it is only right and proper that the council challenges it."
Coun Dobson claims approval for the scheme contravenes planning guidelines which say most new housing developments should be conversions or built on brownfield land.
However, a report by the inspector who handled the appeal states that
"the release of this site for some 78 dwellings would not harm (the brownfield] objective since, although greenfield, it would not be significant as far as the overall supply requirement is concerned".
The report also rejects worries voiced by Coun Tom Murray (Lab, Garforth & Swillington) and other campaigners about the impact the new housing would have on traffic levels and road safety.
It says "highway implications" are addressed by proposed measures such as the introduction of revised speed limits and the provision of a cycle path between the development site and Shaw Close.
The report acknowledges that residents have "substantial concerns" regarding drainage issues but notes that the Environment Agency has no objections to the plans.
It also says the majority of the site is of "very low ecological value".
Email to a friend
Print this page- Web poll: Who is to blame for Leeds United’s league position? VOTE HERE
- Leeds United: Whites ponder next move in hunt for new manager LATEST
- Leeds United: Redfearn given extended run at the helm
- Johnny Giles: Experience vital for Leeds United
- Leeds United: Billy Davies will listen if Whites come calling
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
