BI4/H - Heights Lane (west side), Eldwick

Object

Representation ID: 2775

Received: 21/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Judith Smithson

The case put for piecemeal allocations on greenfield sites does not seem very cohesive as part of an overall plan. The proposal for the Heights Lane plots also mentions “a negative impact upon the local landscape and townscape, particularly the PrinceofWalesPark”. The park and the surrounding greenfield areas are a major facility for the town. Many Bingley residents use Heights Lane as part of walks to enjoy the countryside (particularly now during lockdown and to avoid using cars to go further afield for exercise). This road is narrow and there are no footpaths so developments on this lane will create more traffic without the ability to introduce footpaths, making it difficult for any children in the development to walk to school etc. I have also read the BTC comments and would like to ask why their draft plan has not been considered in the development plan or a response received.

Object

Representation ID: 2791

Received: 21/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Ron Hardy

I feel this development is yet another nail in the Green Belt coffin. The site is next to the park which I feel will adversely affect the wildlife within the park. The road network in Eldwick is not suitable for the increase in traffic. The public transport to this area is minimal therefore the type of new resident will be a car owning one. The overall infrastructure of Bingley is just about adequate and with this and the other proposed developments in the area i feel would be to much. Surely there are enough Brown sites within the Bradford district to accommodate new housing without gobbling up our precious country side. Surely this area should remain and the ever expanding urban development be curbed and we start looking within the Bradford boundaries. We need to protect our wildlife and country side not bury them under more bricks and mortar.

Object

Representation ID: 3062

Received: 21/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Stewart Hazell

A good % of the people living in the Aire Valley drive to work to either Bradford or Leeds. Pre covid you just needed to drive into Saltaire and be held up in one massive bottleneck to see what the issues are. The current infrastructure is ill equipped and by building more houses away from peoples workplaces you will just generate even more traffic and add to the existing problems. I see nothing in the current plan that adequately tackles this infrastructure issue. The plan for sustainable transportation is admirable however the geography of the region is a major barrier. Plus the pandemic has pushed more people back into their cars and less likely to use public transportation. The council needs to think a little more and not just go with the easy option of building on greenbelt. Make the city a more attractive place to live and work.

Object

Representation ID: 3104

Received: 22/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Thomas Walker

The area is bog land. It will be unsuitable to build a development on this area and is prone to pluvial flooding.

Object

Representation ID: 3348

Received: 22/03/2021

Respondent: Bradford District Ward Councillor (Conservative)

The Heights Lane sites B14/H and BI8/H adjoins the Prince of Wales Registered Park. The loss of the greenfield site is likely to have a negative impact upon the local landscape and townscape, particularly the Prince of Wales Park. This site also falls within 2.5km of the South Pennine Moors SPA/ and the site is located in a moderate performing Green Belt parcel. There is some potential for sprawl and would have a moderate impact on openness. These sites do not present an opportunity to create a stronger boundary than that which exists. Heights Lane is a narrow country road with no footpaths, the sight lines at the junction with Otley Road are poor, with no space for either footpaths or improved sight lines Heights Lane is very popular with walkers, riders and runners and increased traffic on a lane and into the mini roundabout will be dangerous.

Object

Representation ID: 3830

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr BILL HARDIE

Destruction of wildlife habitats so close to the Prince of Wales Park
Rural views which are very important for the mental health and well being of users of the Park will be lost forever - as well as views from Heights Lane.
Heights Lane is very narrow and a busy thoroughfare so there will be additional danger caused by the extra traffic and pedestrians.

Object

Representation ID: 3875

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Eldwick Riding Club

Heights Lane is a narrow country lane which is used by local horse rider to gain access to local bridleways
Eldwick Riding Club has been based on Heights Lane for over 40 years and has been concerned about the volume of traffic using the lower part of the lane
An increase in any additional traffic would have a detrimental effect on the safety of users at the approach to the road junction

Object

Representation ID: 3896

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Jenny Woodward

Negative impact on natural environment and the landscape especially true due its proximity to the Prince of Wales park. This development would blur the boundary between the urban area and the countryside - Heights Lane is valued greatly for its naturalness, beauty and being the start of open countryside. Building here will impact adversely on health and wellbeing. In addition, because of the distance from the town centre and the steepness of the hill, new residents will most likely drive to train station / the town leading to poorer air quality, climate change and quality of life.

Object

Representation ID: 3930

Received: 20/02/2021

Respondent: Mr Jeremy Meer

B12/HC, B13/H, B14/H, B18/H - I am absolutely not in favour of plans to develop on Greenfield sites or release Green Belt land to be developed as part of the plan. These areas were designated Green Belt for a reason and greenfield sites / the environment should remain protected, and these should not be developed on. There are enough empty brownfield sites to develop and the plan should focus on these primarily. In addition, the wider infrastructure in Bingley is at capacity (schools, healthcare, roads & transport links), therefore development should be limited without further improvements to that infrastructure.

Object

Representation ID: 4048

Received: 24/02/2021

Respondent: Mr Gavin Li

B14H/B18H: objection due to far too close to the Prince of Wales Park, the development will further damage the eco nature of the park and put more pressure to the local community. Heights lane is a very tight country road, people pet walk or hike around the area, if the development will go ahead adding more population and vehicles, I hope not to consider an accident waiting to happen. The Nearby grass lands has the seanery views and it will be ashamed to have lost that. The area has alot of urban soil pipe drains which already cause flooding

Object

Representation ID: 4063

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Stephen Stead

I am worried about the increase in traffic, especially at the busy roundabout junction. The development may also create parking issues along Heights lane.
The development backs on to woodland / park land and would spoil the rural aspect and loose the open space vista there is now.
As a family we frequently start walks along Heights Lane. You have to be very careful as you walk on the road, there is no foot path. A new development with increased traffic at all times would make this walk a lot more dangerous with increased risk of accidents.

Object

Representation ID: 4113

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Nick Oldham

* Yet more of a limited and precious area of greenbelt land will be lost in the village
* Loss of natural habitat, which will have an adverse impact on local wildlife, especially next to woodland and a park
*There has already been too much new development in Eldwick and there are plenty of brownfield sites available within the Bingley area
*There will be additional pressure on the roads in the village, particularly Otley Road which is already a rat run, especially in the morning and evening, as well as at the mini-roundabout and on roads leading to and from the village
*Heights Lane is narrow and completely unsuitable for the increased volume of traffic the two developments (B14/H and B18/H) will generate along the road
* Heights Lane is a favourite spot for walkers and increased traffic will cause increased danger

Object

Representation ID: 4846

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Jacob Lakin

The site backs on to Prince Of Wales Park. The development will be hugely detrimental to the beauty, history and nature of the Park. Also Eldwick does not have the amenity and resource to cater for more housing

Object

Representation ID: 4947

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Tim Robinson

If we carry on building on all our fields there will be nothing left for the future generations to enjoy. Furthermore this is a country lane that cannot tolerate any further traffic.

If BMDC need to build houses start reusing the brown belt and redevelop the old mills. The centre of Bradford and the close outskirts is covered in derelict buildings - build from within.

There is the Prince of Wales Park abutting this proposed site, it is of historical significance and needs to be protected.

Object

Representation ID: 5045

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Sandra Pearson

We have lived in this area from the early 80s. We had a beautiful greenbelt field behind the house. This field became a housing estate. We have since lost all the fields on the right down Sheriff Lane. There is no gap at all between Eldwick and Gilstead. All Greenbelt and now ALL GONE.

With this proposal we face

• Destruction and loss of wildlife. We see Curlews nesting in these fields. The UK’s Curlew population has halved in the last
25 years and is now in the UK Red List. There is also a healthy Owl population in Prince of Wales Park. These fields are their feeding grounds
• Increased traffic volumes, especially at Park Road roundabout and through the village.
• Further overload to local crowded schools and GPs
• Increased air and environment pollution
• Increased building sprawl and loss of valuable wide open spaces

Object

Representation ID: 5725

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Christine Ironfield-Smith

• Destruction of a greenfield/Green Belt site - valuable habitat for flora and fauna and a much needed green space.
• Adverse impact on a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) and the Listed Prince of Wales Park, a sensitive heritage asset, which is home to many species including woodpeckers, bats and deer.
• Adverse impact on the nearby South Pennine Moor SPA/SAC.
• Increased risk of flooding through removal of grassland/vegetation and potential for ground contamination at the LWS and Listed Park.
• Increased road traffic volumes - more congestion, accidents and air pollution.
• Increase in demand for school places and registrations at GP surgeries/dental practices - adding to the pressure on already stretched resources and less favourable outcomes for patients and practitioners, re the latter.
• Only minor positive effects predicted for most socio-economic themed SA Objectives that don't outweigh the disadvantages this allocation would lead to.

Object

Representation ID: 5741

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Roger Raper

Extending into the Green Belt now will set a precedent for further erosion of the Green belt in the future.
The local infrastructure cannot cope with existing traffic and drains on its resources.
Congestion will increase significantly with the new homes. - this is at odds with a proposed zero carbon future
The area targeted acts as a corridor for wildlife. Building upon it will mean a loss of habitat, loss of natural views, as well as a loss of agricultural land and loss of community identity.
All of the above are contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Object

Representation ID: 5764

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Morag Booth

This is further encroachment onto open land which will never be regained if lost. Pollution will be increased as there are no local shops and poor public transport links.

Object

Representation ID: 5965

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr David Scrivener

Why not address the issues of disused and rundown areas to solve the so called housing crisis, where infrastructures are already there. Schools are being closed in one district only for other schools to be overpopulated and being extended. Do the right thing for a change and don’t take the easy option. Invest in the future for the right reasons and protect the environment and economy before it’s too late.

Object

Representation ID: 6047

Received: 20/02/2021

Respondent: Mrs Susan Oldfield

We should like to register our objection to proposed building on this narrow lane with restricted access between existing houses and very tight exit to a mini roundabout at 1, Otley Road.

There is a serious drainage problem at the South East corner of B/14H. This has necessitated the installation of pipes under the gardens in Heights Lane with outflows into other gardens and onward flow along the road to the roundabout .

Object

Representation ID: 6050

Received: 02/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Margaret Couzens

Number of people: 2

Please can we register our objection to proposed planning for 40 houses at Heights Lane and West of Heights Lane Eldwick.

Object

Representation ID: 6400

Received: 11/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Susan Oldfield

In addition to my previous objection to proposed building on Greenbelt and the narrowness of the access road (Heights Lane) are planners aware of a serious drainage problem at the South East corner of B/14H ? This has necessitated the installation of pipes under the gardens of properties in Heights Lane with outflow into the garden of other properties and onward flow along the road to the roundabout .

Object

Representation ID: 6964

Received: 21/02/2021

Respondent: Godfrey Lomas

Green Belt - space and well being. Cannot be justified when reserves of brownfield elsewhere
Roads - pressure on junction of Heights Lane and Otley Rd.
Low quality mobile and internet connections.
Poor access to public transport.
Development will lead to flooding further downhill
Adverse impact on Prince of Wales Park
Inconvenience to local people during building

Object

Representation ID: 7214

Received: 10/03/2021

Respondent: Liza Boyle

Traffic on Otley road is currently extremely Concerning and further developments of a small village is not acceptable.

Object

Representation ID: 7280

Received: 07/03/2021

Respondent: Dr Julie Patterson

Green belt - development would have a negative impact on wildlife in the area, sprawl and openess
Access road is very narrow, comes off a small mini roundabout , has no pavements and is popular with walkers, runners and horse riders. Extra traffic would make the road unsafe
Sustainability- site is more than 15min walk from the nearest railway station
Development will increase the risk of flooding further down the Aire Valley
Eldwick Primary School is currently full - the proposed development is outside both the catchment priority areas

Object

Representation ID: 7320

Received: 07/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs R Sharp

Education: the consultation document states that in Bingley most primary schools “currently have space places”. As a member of Eldwick Primary School, I can confirm that we are full and are full every year. Secondly, the fields are not within the current Priority Areas. The last time priority areas had to go to consultation it drove a wedge through the community.
Environmental – green belt site. Negative impact on the wild life and on the Prince of Wales Park
Safety – access onto a narrow lane and mini roundabout – a popular route for walkers, runners, cyclists and the occasional horse rider
Sustainability – not within a 15 minute walk of the nearest railway station or High Street.
Natural boundary – impact on openness and sprawl
Flooding – increase the risk of flooding down the Are Valley

Comment

Representation ID: 7778

Received: 12/03/2021

Respondent: Pamela C Thomas

Increased Traffic Volumes, building 40 houses resulting 80 cars plus. Heights lane is not wide enough. No pavements on Heights Lane so where do pedestrians walk?
Roundabout at the bottom of Heights Lane is lethal. Vehicles DO NOT go round the roundabout when accessing Heights Lane.
MY husband has been nearly KILLED twice crossing the bottom of Heights Lane from Park Road. Councillor Heseltine has been made aware and Bradford Council but as usual to no avail. Expect many serious accidents if this plan goes ahead unless planning address this issue.
GP surgeries are overloaded at the the moment and I understand schools are, so what is to be done about those.
Leave Green Belt alone. There are plenty of brown fields yet to be built upon please use them up FIRST.

Object

Representation ID: 7868

Received: 12/03/2021

Respondent: Barbara Bostock

I would like you to consider my objections to this development.
• Green belt has already been lost by the Swan Avenue development along Warren Lane in Eldwick which has ultimately led to the amalgamation of the villages of Eldwick and Gilstead on Warren Lane and Sheriff Lane. A new development on Heights Lane could be the first of future steps towards the amalgamation of Eldwick and Micklethwaite.
• New housing would increase traffic on the already busy roundabout at the junction of Heights Lane/ Otley Road/ Warren Lane / Park Road and also through the village of Eldwick in all directions, roads that are already very busy during rush hours and school drop off and pick up times.
• Increased traffic along Heights Lane and subsequently along the adjoining routes through Eldwick would increase air and environmental pollution in the area which would impact on individuals health and wellbeing
• With no pavement on Heights Lane, additional traffic on Heights Lane would endanger pedestrians accessing the local footpaths adjoining Heights Lane leading to local countryside.
• Additional housing would put additional pressure on local amenities such as GPs, shops, schools and nurseries and create additional parking problems associated with people accessing these services.
• Additional housing would also place additional overload to water, drainage and sewage etc systems in the area
• Local wildlife in fields on and along Heights Lane would be lost/reduced with the impact of more noise and transport pollution.
• There would also be a significant impact upon the local wildlife in Prince of Wales Park which is adjacent to the proposed new development.

Object

Representation ID: 8026

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Stephen Leman

I object to the allocation of the following sites for housing development that lie within the Green Belt:

◦ B14/H Heights Lane, Eldwick
◦ B18/H Land west of Heights Lane

The sites adjoin the Prince of Wales Registered Park. The loss of this greenfield site is likely to have a heavy negative impact upon the local landscape and townscape, particularly the Prince of Wales Park (a Registered Park/Garden).  Both sites also fall within 2.5km of the South Pennine Moors SPA and are in a moderate performing Green Belt parcel. The sites make a major contribution to the purposes of including land in the Green Belt. The developments have a major potential for sprawl and would have a moderate impact on openness. The sites do not present an opportunity to create a stronger boundary than that which exists.

Object

Representation ID: 8064

Received: 08/03/2021

Respondent: Geoffrey, Monica and Richard Ashton

Number of people: 3

Land is Green Belt adjacent to protected & ancient parkland resulting, Its development will have an enormous negative impact on the locality & on the village itself. .
Flooding problems in the bottom of the valley at Bingley & towards Skipton. The uplands must be allowed to remain intact to absorb rainfall to limit runoff thus protecting homes & businesses in the valley.
Heights Lane is of great natural beauty & includes the Prince of Wales Park, the fields provide backdrop to the woodland vistas as well as the sound mental health of local residents.
Fields & woodland support a large variety of creatures including Red kites, Barn, Tawny & Little Owls, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels, Curlews, Lapwings, deer, foxes & bats to name but a few.
The lane is very narrow, twisting & without pavements. This has resulted in many traffic accidents. More housing means more traffic & hence more pollution, an increasingly busy junction at the mini roundabout and safety risk to people using the lane.