Decision due on contentious plans for new Halifax homes
Plans for new homes in a Halifax village are to be discussed again by councillors next week.
A request for permission in principal for between seven and nine homes on land next to the Golden Fleece Inn in Bradshaw was due to be decided last month.
But members of Calderdale Council’s planning committee deferred their vote, asking for more detail from planning officers about a potential flooding risk if the homes were built.
In papers drawn up for their meeting on Tuesday, officers stress that because the application is only permission in principle at this stage, it is not expected that a specific drainage plan is provided.
"This does not remove the need for the applicant to ensure that that the development will be safe for its lifetime, without increasing flood risk elsewhere and where possible, reduce flood risk overall,” says the report.
"However details of how these would be achieved are to be provided at the subsequent technical details consent stage. It is the technical details consent application which has the effect of granting full planning permission.”
The report adds that the lead local flood authority has not objected to the application.
And the bar for refusing the bid at this stage has not been reached.
“Only if there is evidence that the site has fundamental and irresolvable drainage issues could the local authority conclude that the site is not suitable in principle,” says the report.
"It is considered, in this instance, that this high bar for refusing the application has not been reached and as such there are not reasonable grounds for refusing the application relating to drainage.
"The fact that the detailed drainage design is yet to be established is not a reason to refuse the application as it does not speak to the principle of development.”
The report concludes that the proposal is considered acceptable and recommends granting permission in principle
There were 39 letters of objection received by the council to the proposal, citing concerns about grey belt designation, impact on Bradshaw’s character and landscape, highways safety, impacts on the Golden Fleece pub and flooding risk.