Councillors have postponed a final decision over plans to build houses on an area of greenfield land separating Leeds and Bradford.
The application to build 18 houses on a field between Tyersal and Pudsey went before councillors sitting on Leeds City Council’s south and west plans panel yesterday.
As reported on Wednesday, planning officers recommended panel members accept the application – despite the plans being located on greenfield land.
But councillors have expressed their reservations about the proposals, off Tyersal Close, and are unhappy with the housing mix and have said there are too many large houses.
They asked the applicant to discuss any flexibility with the plans with council planning officers. Other concerns include a lack of affordable housing, and councillors hope to agree a clause where if the developer makes more profit than anticipated the council will share in the proceeds.
The plans are likely to be brought back for the panel to make a final decision within the next two months.
One local objector to the plan, who lives on the nearby Tyersal Avenue, wrote:
“Building on a field, whether it’s one house or 17 is inexcusable, especially as there are so many brownfield sites available.
“The would-be developers have already ploughed up a large swathe of it, destroying mature trees and disturbing wildlife.
“The arrogance is breathtaking!”
However, some locals were supporting of the plan. One neighbour wrote:
“This land has been vacant scrub land for many years I’ve lived next to it for the last 15 years and is frequently subject to fly tipping and littering.
“The proposed development will bring the land back into use, prevent fly tipping and improve the neighbourhood. It is very encouraging to see that good quality family homes are proposed for the land.”
Councillor Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said the site was not allocated for housing in the council’s unitary development plan (UDP) – a document which decides where houses should be built.
Why are the council building on greenlands instead of brown?
Why why why?
Sooner or later we have to tackle brown land & the sooner the better.
Instead of wasting our greenland, build on brown.
Still that would be TOO SENSIBLE FOR THE LONG RUN”
OUR COUNCIL IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH GETTING NUMBERS DOWN & BEING SEEN TO BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE STATE OF PLAY WHICH IS “HOUSING”