Next phase of Clifton Business Park development gets go-ahead

Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee agreed with officers’ recommendation that the latest stage of the council’s plans for Clifton Business Park, a 63-acre site off Coal Pit Lane, should be deemed approved.

Planning lead Richard Seaman said outline plans had been passed in December 2019 with this application covering infrastructure within the site including layout, ecological features and lighting, with detailed proposals about the units still to come.

Agent for the scheme, Yatin Mistry, said when completed, the business park would benefit Calderdale.

“It will enable a much needed employment site to come forward and deliver around 1,300 jobs,” he said.

But Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse), who does not have a vote on the committee but spoke on behalf of residents, said there were a large number of objections.

He had concerns about traffic being brought to a standstill with the numbers of vehicles which would be using the site.

“We need a controlled junction on Clifton Common, it is an extremely busy junction. The bottom of Clifton Common is gridlocked at the best of times,” he said.

Highways officer Andrew Dmoch said traffic issues had been considered at the outline stage and planners were happy with the proposals.

Coun Blagbrough was also worried the development might worsen flooding problems, had air and light pollution concerns, and thought more planting would be needed to screen the site.

“Wakefield Road is unable to cope with water coming off the hillside – with this being concreted over, it would create even more issues,” he said.

Objecting to the plans, Clifton resident Jason Shoesmith said he found the proposals for an industrial estate only metres away from homes unacceptable.

He also believed an access being created a Crow Foot Lane was totally unnecessary and would not be used by emergency services.

“They won’t use it due to the relative locations to the site – Wakefield Road or Clifton Common access points would be used,” he said.

Mr Shoesmith requested security lighting be restricted to protect homes.

Mr Dmoch said in the event of an emergency vehicles were likely to come from all directions.

Coun David Kirton (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) questioned the distance of units from homes and potential noise from heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using the site.

“What provision is being set up to prevent HGVs parking overnight with engines ticking over, especially in winter months, annoying local residents?” he said.

Mr Seaman said at the nearest point homes would be 24 metres away which was reasonable and with dropped levels of the units and planning conditions able to control sound insulation, he was not anticipating issues.