IL1/H - Ben Rhydding Drive, Wheatley Grove

Object

Representation ID: 4105

Received: 24/02/2021

Respondent: Ian Henderson

The areas proposed for housing off Wheatley Lane and between Wheatley Grove and Ben Rhydding Drive propose to destroy what The Green Belt is supposed to be there to protect. It would be part of a progression to join Ilkley to Burley and via Menston/Guiseley/Yeadon/Rawdon/Horsforth/Kirkstall to the centre of Leeds. The two areas I refer to are beautiful and relatively unspoilt, with the upper area between Wheatley Grove and Ben Rhydding Drive still preserving in the landscape the old coach road from Ben Rhydding up almost to the site of the former Hydro. This area also absorbs a great deal of moisture draining down off The Moor, thereby serving as a sort of elevated/sloping 'flood plain'. If it is built on, more water will descend to the river valley below, where we have seen significant flooding in recent times.

Object

Representation ID: 4112

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Ms Angela Barrow

This is in the buffer zone for the green belt and development should not be allowed.
The site is steep with springs that appear and the local drains regularly can't cope now
The junction at the bottom of the road is narrow and very dangerous
The road under the rail bridge is narrow, it's a high risk junction, vehicles regularly hit the bridge closing the road too.
There are insufficient school places
It will significantly increase traffic along the B6382 which is already a rat run for the A65 and which is very narrow closer to town.

Object

Representation ID: 4149

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Thomas Baker

The character of Ben Rhydding and Ilkley is defined by it's rural setting, the moor, surrounding fields, and close-knit community feel that will be jeopardised by building on this green-belt site.

Curlew's as well as blue Jays and red kites use this particular site for nesting and hunting.

Building on this land will have a significant negative impact on local wildlife.

Significant Increase in traffic - The roads in Ben Rhydding are not suitable for the increased vehicle traffic and number of additional of cars that will use the roads for access and commuting due to the additional dwellings proposed in the area, and potentially making the area less safe for pedestrians.

Increased strain on local services (already over relied on) due to the new dwellings (schools, doctors, public transport, car parking).

Green Belt land should be protected. Please responsibly develop brownfield sites in the Bradford district instead.

Object

Representation ID: 4177

Received: 24/02/2021

Respondent: Chris Wallage

1. Green Belt site no exceptional circumstances provided.
2. No rational for why houses are needed in this locality demand is for affordable houses close to jobs.
3. Development will significantly impact on amenity and will be visible from the Moor and Wharfe Valley.
4. Area subject to TPOs and wildlife habitat.
5. Need to address impact on the moor (SSSI, SPA, SAC).
6. Lose of natural drainage of the field by development would be catastrophic.
7. Further development at IL3/H would exacerbate flood risk.
8. Increases in traffic at junction would be dangerous.
9. Unclear how the spur road could be developed. High volumes of traffic would be intrusive.
10. Wheatley Grove is prone to snow and ice. Gritters cannot access.
11. Infrastructure is not available to support development.
12. Due to current restrictions full public consultation is not possible.
13. People without internet are being excluded from participating.

Object

Representation ID: 4199

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Barry Cox

As a resident of Ben Rhydding, I strongly object to the proposed development of the greenfield site identified as IL1/H.

The following points summarise the reasons for my objection:

1. Loss of Green Belt
2. Biodiversity and Geodiversity, Harm to Flora and Fauna and Protecting the South Pennine Moor SPA/SAC and their Zone of Influence
3. Loss of a well-used Green Amenity Space for Health and Wellbeing
4. Severe issues with Accessibility, Transport, Traffic, Safety and Climate Change Resilience
5. Lack of Sensitivity to the Site's Cultural Heritage
6. Increased Flooding Risk
7. Lack of Harmony with the Surrounding Area - contravening one of the key principles of Ilkley’s Neighbourhood Plan.

The Council’s own Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment for the proposed development of IL1/H - the greenfield site at Ben Rhydding Drive/Wheatley Grove - acknowledges no ‘major positive’ for this site and more negatives than positives, including two ‘major negatives’.

Object

Representation ID: 4206

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Andrew Wilson

My objections are based on the views expressed in the attached Representations.
Principally on the protection of Green Belt land , appalling access to the site, possible flooding, protecting the Flora and Fauna on the site, the Recreational Value of the area and the lack of Infrastructure in the immediate and surrounding areas.

Object

Representation ID: 4209

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Ellen Stubbs

This is a very beautiful piece of land with irreplaceable views. The roads accessing the land are narrow and the existing neighbourhoods would have problems with any increase in road traffic. As the local schools are already oversubscribed bringing more families into the area would be a further increase in road traffic as children would need to be bussed/driven to other areas. The A65 backs up for several miles at peak times and a potential 280 further automobiles will see traffic at a standstill between Burley in Wharfedale and Addingham. Pollution is high in town when the traffic is at a standstill and as there are two primary schools this could affect the health of our children. Ilkley just cannot cope with such a large increase in population and therefore I object to these plans.

Object

Representation ID: 4210

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Rombalds Lane Residents Association

WHILST THIS AREA CAN SUPPORT SOME MODEST DEVELOPMENT, THE LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE, IN PARTICULAR THE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROLLED RAILWAY UNDERPASS AT Ben Rhydding RAILWAY STATION WILL REQUIRE ENLARGING TO A TWO LANE ROAD, AS WILL THE SINGLE TRACK IRON BRIDGE OVER THE WHARFE ON COUTANCES WAY. BOTH Wheatley Grove AND Ben Rhydding DRIVE WILL NEED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY UPGRADED TO HANDLE TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND ROWLEY DRIVE EXTENDED OVER OR UNDER THE RAILWAY DOWN TO COUTANCES WAY. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS WILL NEED SIGNIFICANT UPGRADING.

Object

Representation ID: 4239

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Peter Rowe

Seriously? First question to ask is who is the beneficiary?
It won't be the town, the local residents or the surrounding habitats for wildlife. It will be the private landowner and the local authority through the latest tax CILS.
Difficult to access, AONB all around, green belt and the need to use a car for majority of movements. 130 houses, 260 cars. That doesn't seem very green to me.

Object

Representation ID: 4318

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Miss Abby Tarrant

- Ilkley is special
- Building projects are harmful to the vulnerable with asthma (other breathing medical conditions)
- Given the year COVID has created health should be a key factor in all designs
- Creates pollution and removes green spaces that currently counteract pollution.
- Greenbelt is a value to the area and to build on it would devalue the area.
- Other than new housing there is no added value to the local community from such a large project.
- There isn't enough infrastructure to match the new demand this number of housing would create. Doctors, dentists, schools, parking, traffic creation.

Object

Representation ID: 4392

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Alastair Horn

Destruction of views over the valley and up to the Cow and Calf, as well as for the Golf Course.
Nearest accessible green space for walks and runs up onto the moor, joins two public footpaths.
Habitat for wildlife, sightings include bats and owls, as well as containing old trees.
Flooding risk.

Object

Representation ID: 4449

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Jill Horn

This hillside is a picturesque green space which permits running, walking and playing for local residents. Using this for housing would necessitate damage and destruction of old trees which provide excellent habitat for wildlife including barn owls and bats. Loss of trees will prevent the absorption of rainfall and the result will be further flooding and loss of soil due to excessive surface water and run off. The pandemic has emphasised the importance of nature for mental health; the need for quiet and natural spaces is well recognised. The proposal to build 130 houses will cause a huge increase in traffic in Ben Rhydding - adding noise and air pollution to the area - again, very disruptive to health and wellbeing. The traffic will use Wheatley Grove which is steep and unsuitable for such an additional vehicular burden. This area should be used to plant more trees and be rewilded.

Object

Representation ID: 4456

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Deirdre Long

Planning has been granted in the last 10 year to over 450 dwellings on infill land. This trend will continue and therefore the councils current housing targets can easily be met with infill developments. Therefore building on greenbelt should not required. The junction at the bottom of Wheatley Grove and Wheatley Lane is narrow and will not sustain 130 extra houses. The site has a large amount of water run off from the moors and this will have a detrimental effect on houses lower than the site who do experience cellar flooding in wetter than normal winters. The field is currently used by the community for walkers allowing access to walks towards Burley.

Object

Representation ID: 4467

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Peter Horn

Los of trees - the central copse is an important natural habitat and the trees are of considerable age and will be damaged by building work. The area is home to several deer and owls.
The road access and additional traffic on the very steep Wheatley Grove is a concern especially at the exit onto Wheatley Lane.
The site is distant on foot to local amenities, schools and existing public transport connections and the steep gradient will mean that residents will exclusively use vehicular transport, thereby causing significant traffic generation.

Object

Representation ID: 4469

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Jonathan Lury

Object for the following reasons:
1) these new homes will all be for rich people. They will not be affordable or increase diversity or opportunity.
2) this is greenbelt land. The UK is a small country with a dwindling amount of greenbelt. New housing should be done on brown field sites and be facilitated by central government investment. Bradford area has a large amount of urban brownfield sites which are ripe for regeneration.
3) there is not enough infrastructure for this development (water/sewage, schools, public transport, existing road system is inadequate). In other recent building developments in this area the developers have not delivered the promised solutions to improve infrastructure and have not been held to account. Therefore this development will simply create more problems.

Thanks for your review.

Object

Representation ID: 4472

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: bernadette raven

This is land that has not yet been covered in concrete it is important to protect out environment that as a human race we are very successfully destroying this land should be conserved for the environment not used to use more resources remove more natural drainage in order to make a few people at the top of the chain a bit of money.
Ilkley does not have the facilities to hold more people also the schools are at breaking point to add more students you for one are going to decrease the quality of schools in this area but also cause danger as how many students do you really want crammed on to a small piece of land. The schools may say they can cope with added students but that is because like you all they are bothered about is money.

Object

Representation ID: 4501

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Miss Rebecca Allsop

I am objecting to this proposal based on the following themes, the detail behind each is included in the attached document:
This site is proposed on greenbelt land with protected natural resources and wildlife

the combined proposals will join up addingham, ilkey and burley

flood risk and impact on flooding in surrounding areas

lack of secondary schooling in the local area to take on additional population

irreversible impact on greenbelt in a backdrop of climate change in an area of outstanding beauty

Dangerous traffic impacts

Lack of other options explored

No justification provided regarding why other brownfield sites readily available across the Bradford district have been discounted in favour of the destruction of greenbelt

Object

Representation ID: 4535

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Ms Vivia Tizard

This is on the edge of the town on a hillside lead g to the moorland. I can't see how this can fail to impact on the rate of flooding further down

Object

Representation ID: 4807

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Richard Shelton

This field with public footpath access is the first open green space to the east of Ben Rhydding. Once removed it can never be returned and this would be a tragic loss for both exercise and mental health benefits. Ilkley is a rural location surrounded by beauty and this should be protected at all costs. Focus for new housing should be concentrated on re-purposing existing developments, brown field sites and ensuring currently empty properties are filled before considering the destruction of any green belt site. Green belt was devised for a specific reason and should be maintained at all costs.

Object

Representation ID: 4814

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Jane Paul

Protection of greenbelt, wildlife and sensitive natural landscape and Ben Rhydding as a conservation area. Infrastructure is insufficient, particularly schools including Ilkley Grammar School which is already oversubscribed and will be further pressured by an additional 500 homes already approved in Burley in Wharfedale. Roads and access to this area is limited for a development of this size and there are problems of drainage, which would overburden an already strained system. Finding a new larger site for Ilkley Grammar School should be the priority before any new houses are built. Then houses could be built on the old Grammar School site

Object

Representation ID: 4930

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Trevor Ashall

This is a lovely green area that suits the wildlife and farming. Bradford Council should use brownfield sites before using green areas.
The Council should also bring back to use those numerous houses that have fallen into disrepair before taking up more green space for housing.
The Council should also consider any flooding risks - especially now that climate change is upon us and more significant rainwater events are occurring.
Ben Rhydding school is full to capacity and it will be virtually impossible to cater for more children.
More traffic will be created and the local area already had problems with such volume.

Object

Representation ID: 4986

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Lady Pamela Brown

Objections.
Transport problems, Difficult and potentially dangerous road junctions.

Health facilities insufficient for such an increase in numbers

Insufficient parking spaces to fulfil current requirements and insufficient school facilities for existing numbers of children.

Detrimental increase of traffic/people in Ben Rhydding village, where the greatest impact will be which forms eastern boundary of Ilkley where this and the other proposed development - totally 285 dwellings will occur.

Problems at The Old Bridge, a scheduled monument, and at traffic lights on Leeds Road junction..

Green Belt/Natural England’s Southern Pennines National Character area/Bradford Landscape Character Areas - Rombalds Ridge/Wharfedale, Wharfedale Landscape Character Area/Wharfedale Character Area which is one of moderate sensitivity and Rombalds Landscape Character Area classed as very sensitive to change according to Bradford Council.

Increase in Flood risk on main A road from Leeds to Skipton and also downriver because of increase in waste water from larger population.

Topography.

Object

Representation ID: 4999

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Jo Drye

The road infrastructure is not in place to support additional properties nor is their capacity in primary and secondary schools.

Object

Representation ID: 5007

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Michael Briggs

Ilkley cannot absorb another 300 homes! The infrastructure cannot support it. The doctors, dentists and schools are all at capacity. Parking in the town is no longer possible because of the new parking measures. Green belt has been established to protect our green and open spaces for all, including wildlife. Whilst I accept that we have a growing population and therefore need to build more homes Green Belt should only be used once all of the Brown field sites have been utilised. Too much green space has been lost to development in Ben Rhydding already a further 2 large development sites would be ruinous!

Object

Representation ID: 5014

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Adrian Weatherly

Ilkley doesn't have the infrastructure to support this level of housing . There is too much traffic on the A65/A660 which will be compounded by such a development. The recent Garden centre will also contribute as well as BR sports Club. The area is a haven for wildlife and is unsuitable. There are also issues with drainage and springs in the area. Traffic up Wheatley Lane is a problem now and again will be compounded by such a development and cause major congestion and a potential increase in traffic accidents as the route is a rat run used by parents taking kids to school as well as a diversion to avoid the traffic jams in Ilkley Centre

Object

Representation ID: 5049

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr James Horsfall

Destruction of valued Green Belt area of Ben Rhydding

Object

Representation ID: 5074

Received: 03/03/2021

Respondent: Patrick Hickie

The proposed developments will have a significant detrimental impact on the Green Belt, the environment, the existing landscape and the risk of flooding in the area.
There are other brownfield sites available in the council area and these should be developed first.

Object

Representation ID: 5109

Received: 03/03/2021

Respondent: Mr David Nunns

Loss of green belt
Flood plain
Access- residential road of limited width
Wheatley Lane is grid locked in peak conditions, used for parking for rail users and residents, single lane under rail bridge
Inadequate drainage- field often waterlogged
Development does not meet the national planning policy framework in achieving a sustainable development, in respect of the following areas.
1) Environmental Objective- will not enhance the natural or historic Environment, will not improve biodiversity, will contribute to waste, increase flood risk, increase traffic 2) Social objectives - safe environment cannot be achieved due to the lack of good access, lack of parking. The Primary and secondary schools are over subscribed. Strain on the medical facilities
3 Economic Objectives.- Site is not sustainable. Will place pressure on already stretched railway parking

Object

Representation ID: 5123

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Ben Dunhill

This is a part of Ben Ryddings Green Belt area which will be compromised by adding a built up area to what already is over crowded with Residential housing.
There is a huge lack of ammenties in the town of Ilkley to support more people moving to the area. The poor recreational facilities for children and adults alike are somewhat to be desired Vs what the neighbouring town of Skipton has to offer.
Adding more people will increase road traffic through the village which is threatened by speeding vehicles and a lack of contsraints such as speed bumps to slow drivers down.
Out of the pandemic the tran services could barely cope with the ammount of people on the earlier and late afterrnoon trains traveling to and from Leeds and Bradford.

Object

Representation ID: 5133

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Miss Natalie York

This site is unsuitable for development for several reasons. The local infrastructure for educational, medical, dental services are inadequate for this volume of people. Schools are full already. The roads are already congested with the present volume of residents in the area. The A65 frequently queues in the summer months as things stand. Access on to major routes out of Ben Rhydding is via a 1 way traffic light under an old railway bridge therefore increasing traffic volumes would cause an issue. The roads accessing the proposed sites are quiet/narrow avenues again not suitable for increased traffic. The green space needs preserving for wildlife and local amenity