A derelict piece of land in Farnley will be transformed into six houses, after council planners gave the green light.
The ‘Tree Tops’ site, off Stonebridge Avenue, had already been cleared of overgrowth and brambles. At the centre of the site was an abandoned derelict house, which was demolished earlier this year.
Developer Christopher Construction now has permission to build six four-bedroomed family homes on the site.
The developer said in a design statement accompanying the planning application:
“The site has lain empty for some time and had become overgrown and dangerous. The site was often used as a hangout for local youths and became overrun with litter and fly tipping.
“This scheme aims to provide the area with good quality family housing. The use of high-performing glazing and insulants, as well as the amount of natural light to the buildings, will reduce the energy usage and running costs of the scheme.”
Approving the proposals, subject to planning conditions, a council planning officer said:
“The proposal is not considered to have a significant detrimental impact on neighbouring residential amenity or the character or appearance of the street scene, whilst contributing toward housing delivery targets set out in the adopted Site Allocations Plan.
“In addition the amended scheme provides a suitable highway and access arrangement along with achieving policy compliance in terms of gross internal floor space and external amenity provision.”
Farnley & Wortley ward councillors had no objections to the principle of the development but expressed concerns regarding tree retention and protection, and the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment and biodiversity considerations
prior to building.
The plans can be viewed in full here. WLD covered the submission of the plans in February.
WLD featured the history of the site in our Mark’s History column in January. In 1844 the land was two plots.
The lower half (next to what is left of Stonebridge Avenue) was owned by Charles Faber Junior and occupied by Samuel Waite and Company. The upper half (next to Bawn Avenue) was owned by Jeremiah Bateson and occupied by John Stephenson.
