Object

Representation ID: 29693

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Persimmon Homes (West Yorkshire)

Agent: Barton Wilmore

Green Belt Assessment of ME/005

In the ‘Site Assessment and Rejected Sites Background Paper’ the Council confirm that site ME/005 is rejected on the following grounds – Green Belt Impact and Landscape Impact.

However, having reviewed the Council’s evidence base we have been unable to locate the Green Belt Assessment, which the document implies has been undertaken.

For context, the Green Belt Appraisal conducted by Pegasus on behalf of Persimmon concludes as follows:
Whilst the removal of the site from the Green Belt would result in some harm to the Green Belt by virtue of the direct impact of its footprint, the actual perceivable extent of harm would be minimal and would not significantly affect any Green Belt purpose. The development of the site offers potential to discretely and neatly ‘round off’ the settlement edge and provide a strong defensible Green Belt boundary.

Pegasus, who undertook the appraisal made the following assessment:

Purpose 1 – to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas – there would be no unrestricted sprawl

Purpose 2 – to prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another – there would be no merging of neighbouring towns

Purpose 3 – to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment – development of the site would result in minimal encroachment into the countryside

Purpose 4 – to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns – development of the site would have no impact on the setting and special character of historic towns

Purpose 5 – to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land – not assessed