Object

Representation ID: 29799

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Ilkley Civic Society

This is an attractive green belt site supporting the rural aspect of Ben Rhydding Drive.

The site access is to be via Wheatley Grove and not via the private road Ben Rhydding Drive. There is a difficult junction to access Wheatley Grove from Wheatley Lane. The junction of Wheatley Lane and Bolling Road is problematic and there is single line working at the railway bridge. There is no pedestrian crossing of either Wheatley Lane or Bolling Road. Below the railway bridge there is another poor junction with Valley Drive where traffic exiting Valley Drive has poor sight lines.

From Wheatley Lane, Wheatley Grove proceeds up a steep curving bank. This is too difficult for the gritting vehicle to negotiate, so during winter weather, Wheatley Grove can be perilous. Wheatley Grove is a residential road not designed for additional traffic, including many delivery vehicles.

The field is used for pasturing livestock but is also a wildlife haven, especially for owls. It has substantial recreational value. The very top section is within the HRA 400m zone for Ilkley Moor.

There may be a Roman road crossing the field – the route has not been defined.

The field has drainage problems. After heavy rain, water cascades off the golf course at the top of the site, through the field onto Ben Rhydding Drive and overwhelms the storm drain system.

If there is to be pedestrian access to Ben Rhydding Drive from the site, it should be noted that there are no pavements. There is a 20mph limit on Ben Rhydding Drive, but experience shows that many drivers do not observe it.