Critics fear plans for 75 new homes on green belt land previously branded ‘not suitable for housing’ will merge two Yorkshire towns in an ‘urban sprawl’.
Avant Homes wants to build the homes – half of which would be classed as ‘affordable’ – on green belt land off Otley Road, Menston. But residents fear the plans, submitted to Bradford Council, would lead to and ‘urban sprawl’ and ‘join’ the towns of Menston and Otley together.
The planning application concedes that the proposed 75 homes would indeed harm the Green Belt site but claims the impact would be “limited impact” on the broader area. It argues that the demand for new housing in the Bradford area should take precedence over preserving the Green Belt site.
Typically, developing Green Belt land requires demonstrating “exceptional circumstances” to justify deviating from standard policies.
According to the application: “As the proposed development would constitute ‘inappropriate development’ within the Green Belt, it is acknowledged that there would be definitional harm to the Green Belt.
“It is also acknowledged that the proposal would comprise major development on a site currently devoid of development apart from some derelict outbuildings and would introduce a significant volume of new built form, including building and hardstanding.”
The application includes an evaluation of how the proposed homes will impact the Green Belt. It states: “The assessment has shown that the land at Otley Road, Menston is contained by the surrounding landform, vegetation and existing built form, and (development) will not result in unrestricted sprawl of large urban areas and will have a limited impact on the merging of Menston and Otley, along with a limited effect on encroachment.
“Development of the site would have some erosion on the openness, the perception of this impact will be greater at a localised level.”
Details of the proposals were dispatched to local politicians, community groups and 1,368 households late last year, according to the application. There have been 13 responses expressing concerns about the plans so far.
Bradford Town Hall, Centenary Square
(Image: Billy Wilson/ Flickr)
In response to one consultee’s worry that the development would lead to the loss of a local green space, the applicants clarified: “The site is private land, with no public access, and does therefore not currently function as useable local greenspace.”
Another consultee pointed out: “The site is designated Green Belt and development would join the towns of Menston and Otley.” To this, the applicant responded: “We acknowledge the Green Belt designation of the Site. The planning support statement will demonstrate a planning balance of the development of the Site and provision of much needed housing, against loss of Green Belt land.”
One objector pointed out that Bradford Council had previously deemed the site “not suitable for housing.” In response, the applicant acknowledged this concern, stating: “This fact is acknowledged, and it is noted that Bradford Council has an undersupply of land for housing, and sites within the GB will need to come forward to meet this shortfall.”
A verdict on the planning application is anticipated to arrive in April.
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