Object

Representation ID: 30256

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: J A Whitwham

Agent: WBW Surveyors Limited

Rejected site - CU/008
-Land should be added to the Preferred Housing Site Allocations for Cullingworth and identified as a housing site by the new Local Plan.
-The land should also be released from the Green Belt to allow its development for housing under Policy SP5. (detailed assessment provided).
Site CU/008 is a preferable site for housing allocation than proposed allocation CU/3H.
1. Site enclosed by other housing developments. Given the characteristics of the surrounding land uses, it would be logical to release this site from the constraints of Green Belt policy. CU/008 would be a sensible rounding off of the Green Belt boundary, whereas this would not be the case with CU/3H which would project out into the open countryside. The impact on the rural character and appearance of the open countryside would be minimal as previous development has already altered it.
2. ‘topography’. It is accepted that the site slopes downhill to the south east and careful consideration will therefore need to be given to finished floor levels of the new dwellings and vehicular parking / manoeuvring areas. However, there is no reason why an appropriately designed scheme cannot be produced and this is not a reason of substance that justifies discounting the site. The topography has advantages. Most public views of the site will be from Bingley Road to the north west which is set at a higher level. New built development on the site will therefore be set at a lower level and will not be prominent in the local landscape. Development will simply infill the gap between existing built development.
3. ‘flood risk’. Only the south-eastern tips of the site, adjacent to Ellar Carr Beck, are within an identified area of Flood Risk. The final design of any scheme would need to ensure that this constraint was allowed for, but there is no reason why the development would be at an unacceptable risk from flooding, or could not provide surface water attenuation measures to ensure that flood risk is not exacerbated elsewhere.
4. The site is located close to the centre of the village and would therefore be a sustainable location for new development. The site has good access to local shops, services, and public transport. Development would help to further sustain the continued provision of those facilities within the settlement.
5. access could be achieved onto Bingley Road.
6. The landowner is willing to see the site developed and would be supportive of the allocation. There are no known obstacles or exceptional costs that would prevent development taking place on the site.