126 homes and cycleway at Herbage View, Crofton, Wakefield

What was proposed

The application proposed 126 homes, parking, access, open space, landscaping, drainage and a new pedestrian and cycleway link.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 126 Dwellings, associated car parking, garages, vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access; public open space, landscaping and drainage infrastructure and the formation of a new pedestrian/cycleway between Bedford Farm Cresent and Hare Park Lane.”

“The application proposes a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings, the majority of which are two storey in height, other than the provision of a pair of bungalows. The dwellings would predominantly be detached and semi-detached properties, with a small number of terraced rows included in the design. The proposal also includes two maisonette style properties.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The housing land lies on Crofton’s southern edge beside existing homes, allotments, a railway and Green Belt, and was used for grazing.

“The application site is made up of two parcels of land, one which would be developed for housing, forms a broadly rectangular piece of land that is 4.92 hectares. The other parcel is further to the west, is approximately 0.11 hectares in size and provides a bridleway/cycleway/pedestrian footpath link between 42 and 44 Bedford Farm Court to Hare Park Lane.”

“Housing Site Santingley Lane runs to the east of the site, a railway line to the south, a reasonably new housing development is located to the west formerly known as Bedford Farm, with the rear of properties off Oak Street and a number of allotments located to the north. The site slopes gently from north to south and is currently used for grazing land.”

Officer report

Planning history and allocation

Nearby Bedford Farm housing applications were approved, while the housing site became Local Plan allocation HS58 with an indicative capacity of 118 homes.

“Adjacent Site Bedford Farm Court: • 15/00247/REM - Residential development 183no. dwellings pursuant to outline approval 12/01060/OUT – Approved…”

“The site is located within Crofton Local Service Centre and the site of the housing is allocated for housing within the Council’s adopted Local Plan to 2036 reference HS58, Bedford Farm, Crofton; the site of the Bridleway/Cycleway/Pedestrian Footpath Link is located within the Green Belt. The allocation text for HS58 sets out that the site is 4.92 hectares in size and has a net indicative housing capacity of 118.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the development sustainable and acceptable subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 obligation.

“A number of matters would need to be secured by planning conditions and a planning obligation as set out in the report, and subject to this, the proposed development is considered to be acceptable in principle and, there are considered to be no technical reasons to withhold planning permission.”

“Approval of the planning application is therefore recommended, subject to the planning conditions and planning obligation set out in the above report and subject to the consideration of any additional representations made on the application not set out within this report, with any additional representations to be reported as part of the additional information to members prior to the Planning Committee Meeting .”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, drainage, ecology, environmental health, housing and other consultees raised no objection subject to conditions or contributions, while the arboricultural officer objected to vegetation removal.

“Environmental Health (WMDC) – no objection to the development subject to conditions.”

“Highways Team (WMDC) – No objection subject to conditions and contributions to mitigate the highway impact of the development.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard representations for the applicant, for objectors and from local ward councillor Cummings.

The committee’s decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions and reasons in the officer report and the additional information sheet circulated at the meeting.

“Approved – Subject to those conditions and reasons set out in the Service Director, Planning, Transportation and Strategic Highway’s report and the additional information sheet circulated at the meeting.”

Minutes