307-home development at Land West Of Wakefield Road, Normanton

What was proposed

The application sought up to 308 homes, amended to 307, with open space, landscaping, infrastructure, two accesses and pedestrian and cycle links.

“Vehicular access into the site would be taken at 2 points from Wakefield Road and pedestrian links would be provided from Wakefield Road to the south east, from the existing PRoW (footpath 21) linking to Woodhouse Mount to the east and open land to the west, and footpath links to an existing footpath to the north of the site. Vehicular and pedestrian links would also be provided into the adjacent land allocated for housing (HS38).”

“The applicant is proposing various areas of Public Open Space (POS) and green space which follow the route of the overhead electricity lines which cross the western section of the application site and along the route of the watercourse which bisects the application site into 2 areas of housing linked by a pedestrian bridge across the watercourse. A formal kickabout area is proposed within the green space to the west of the watercourse.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 15.5-hectare site was agricultural land on Normanton’s western edge, with hedgerows, pylons, a watercourse, a public footpath and nearby housing.

“THE SITE The application site comprises approximately 15.5 hectares of agricultural land made up of 3 fields separated by grass margins and hedgerows to the north west of Wakefield Road on the western edge of Normanton. A stone wall runs along the south eastern boundary with Wakefield Road and the northern and western boundaries comprise trees and planting. Electricity pylons cross the site and a drainage channel runs centrally through the site.”

“Normanton Town Centre is located to the north east and bus services run along Wakefield Road to Normanton, Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract. Normanton railway station is located approximately 1.5km to the north of the site. The schools within the local area are Newlands Primary School, Normanton Junior Academy, Outwood Academy Freeston and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School.”

Officer report

Planning history and allocation

There were no previous applications for the site, which was allocated for housing in the adopted Local Plan.

“There are no applications for planning permission that relate to the application site. An application for development of housing on the adjacent land to the north east has been submitted and is pending consideration by the Local Planning Authority (LPA):”

“The site is within the urban area of Normanton and is allocated for housing (HS37 Land West of Wakefield Road, Normanton) in the Wakefield District Local Plan 2036 (adopted January 2024). Strategic Leisure Corridors (LC17 Normanton – Featherstone – Pontefract – Glasshoughton and LC18 Newland - Normanton Goosehill – Wakefield) run east west through the centre of the site and north south to the west of the site.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, flood, ecology, design, conservation and other consultees raised no objections after amendments, subject to conditions or contributions.

“Transportation Planning and highways Initial comments raised a number of issues and amendments were requested. Following submission of revisions to the plans, no objections were raised subject to conditions and s106 legal agreement.”

“Ecology Initial comments raised concerns that the proposal did not meet the requirements of the legislation, policy and guidance and further information was required. Following amendments to the proposals and submission of further information regarding off site BNG, there are no objections, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Objections and support

224 objections raised concerns including congestion, highway safety, flooding, loss of green space, pressure on services, noise, ecology and affordability; no support was received.

“Other issues - Loss of green belt. - Loss of green space used for leisure. - Impact on the landscape and habitat. Wild deer and other wildlife including protected species impacted with nowhere to go. - Claims of BNG through landscaping can’t compensate for the destruction of established ecosystems. - Loss of trees on site frontage. - Lack of local services such as doctors and dentists and lack of school places. Pinderfields is already under pressure.”

“Normanton Town Council Object to the proposal for the following reasons: - Overdevelopment resulting in undue pressure on existing infrastructure, services and amenities. - Traffic and Highway safety: congestion and speeding, safety of drivers and pedestrians. Improvements are required to local roads and traffic calming measures. - Inadequate access: Wakefield Road unsuitable for expected traffic and concerns about the safety and efficiency of accessing the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the applicant, Normanton Town Council on behalf of objectors and Councillor Medford as the local ward member.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to the report’s conditions, additional meeting information and completion of a section 106 obligation.

“Approved – (1) Subject to those conditions and reasons set out in Service Director, Planning, Transportation and Strategic Highway’s report and the additional information sheet circulated at the meeting.”

“(2) Subject to the completion of an Obligation under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the matters set out in the report; with authority to agree the final wording of the conditions, complete the Obligation and to issue the final decision being delegated to the Service Director, Planning, Transportation and Strategic Highways in conjunction with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning and Highways Committee.”

Minutes