IL3/H - Coutances Way

Object

Representation ID: 29674

Received: 14/03/2021

Respondent: Alison Morpeth

This site is also Green Belt and, arguably even more important than the site in IL1/H. The planning judgement in the Consultation Plan states it has 'a major potential impact on the Green Belt' and that 'the site makes a major contribution to the purposes of including land in the Green Belt.... [and] would have a major impact on openness'.

We concur with this assessment. If concerns about the 2.5km buffer of the SPA/SAC and SSSI impact zone, impact on setting of listed building (Wheatley Grange Farm Grade II Listed farmhouse and outbuilding), impact on landscape character, flood risk and areas of surface water flood risk, Green Infrastructure links through the site and need for new site access, are added into this assessment then in our view there can be no justification for this development to be authorised.

Nor do we believe that any potential opportunity to incorporate additional parking for Ben Rhydding Station should be allowed. This whole site marks a definitive boundary to the Town of Ilkley. It is a palpable and visible statement of the distinction between rural and urban as well as between one community and its nearest neighbouring communities. In an age becoming increasingly concerned about identity and place we would argue that such obvious distinctions should be recognised and wherever possible preserved.

Object

Representation ID: 29687

Received: 14/03/2021

Respondent: Tracy Russell

•The field beside Coutances Way is a curlew breeding ground and there are hundreds of curlews, oyster catcher and geese that feed on the land. Across on the other side of the A65 is Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve.
•The fields along Coutances Way flood considerable as evidenced below. The fields leading down to the valley soak up the flood water and help to prevent run offs. Additional housing in IL3/H and IL1/H will result in increased run off resulting in increased flooding, the more frequent closure of the A65 and the possible instability of the rail tracks.
(See attached photo: Flooded fields earlier this year taken from the Yorkshire Water treatment facility site entrance, Coutances Way).
•Ben Rhydding Sports Club (located on the right of the attached picture) has submitted a £240K insurance claim for flooding. They would certainly want written assurances from Bradford Council should these developments proceed, as will the recently developed Moss and Moor Garden Centre.

Object

Representation ID: 29787

Received: 25/03/2021

Respondent: Ilkley Town Council

Object with some positives

Key areas of concern include:

Exceptional reasons must be shown for Green Belt release NPPF

The development of this site would have major and minor adverse effects on natural environment indicators of local, national and international significance as well as Green Belt and greenfield loss, land and buildings, Green Infrastructure of high visual amenity, landscape character, cultural heritage and air quality.

Flood risk and drainage problems / climate change.

Any development on this site must be seen in tandem with the proposed major Sun Lane development in Burley in Wharfedale and longstanding and recent attempts by private developers to develop the Old Middleton Hospital site on Carters Lane (Harrogate LA).

Within 2.5km of the South Pennine Moors SPA/SCA - Could have an adverse impact on indigenous wildlife in the area.

Increased motor traffic generated by large number of proposed number of dwellings will have a negative impact environmentally and on traffic flow through Ben Rhydding.

Positive aspects -
- On transport and traffic criteria, this site is suitable for development.
- This site is relatively level and therefore good for cycling and walking.
- The site lies directly on or adjacent to the alignment for the Burley to Ben Rhydding section of the Wharfedale Greenway. This is a considerable advantage and means that plans for the Greenway can be incorporated into development proposals for the site.

Object

Representation ID: 29801

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Ilkley Civic Society

This land is owned by Bradford Council and proposed development of it has been challenged repeatedly over many years because the council directly benefits from it, both in terms of capital and ongoing council tax revenue, post development. It is extremely valuable as green belt because this location, for visitors arriving by road or rail this site is the first real view of the open countryside of the Dales and Ilkley Moor since leaving the West Yorkshire cities. It provides the sense of arrival at a special place, with views towards the heather moors of the Cow and Calf rocks and across and up the dale.

The primary reason advised by Bradford Council that it has been selected for housing is that it has good transport connections. That is questionable. Bus services are poor especially early in the morning. Train services are limited to services to Leeds and Bradford. Ilkley has one main road through it. The road is prone to river flooding both east and west of the town and run-off can put the centre of Ilkley under several inches of flowing water.

Drainage
The fields are poorly drained and the bottom section floods. Despite extensive works some 20 years ago, the main storm drain down Wheatley Lane is again above capacity in wet weather and it is reported that the basements in the terraced houses can flood.

Any changes to drainage arrangements may impact the continuing landslide which has affected the Wharfedale railway line for many years and is still being monitored by rail engineers following extensive work some years ago by the contractors May Gurney. Building on the Coutances Way site may impact the natural drainage as it will increase run-off.

It should be noted that the new garden centre on Coutances Way still has drainage issues to be reconciled as a condition of its planning permission.

The site is within the 2.5km HRA boundary for both Ilkley Moor and Nidderdale AONB. The fields concerned regularly hold curlew (red list species) in good numbers. Swifts, swallows and house martins may be found in good numbers although they are diminishing elsewhere in Ilkley. In winter, migrant and native thrush species are in residence. The trees provide roosts for many woodland margin species, including owls and great spotted and green woodpeckers. Migrant swans and geese rest in the fields. No bird box scheme will suffice to mitigate against the loss of such species. Deer, badgers and bats frequent the area.

Additionally, part of this site is already allocated to a Park and Ride car park, but it is not clear whether or when this is going ahead or how much space it will take up.

Access to the site is to be from Wheatley Lane thus increasing the number of vehicles travelling to Ilkley via Bolling Road or Valley Drive or accessing the A65.

Out of town residential developments such as Coutances Way are so far from retail facilities, services and schools that residents will need their own cars whether or not they drive to work.

Comment

Representation ID: 29987

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Ilkley Town Council

This Green field site is important as it offers visitors to Ilkley their first view of Ilkley and area. It is valuable arable land.

It has the potential to increase sprawl between Burley and Ilkley.

The site does have advantages - it is near to Ben Rhydding train station offering transport to Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley. With care, cycle lanes from this estate to primary and secondary schools would enable children to be able to walk and cycle to school.

British Rail constantly need to maintain the railway embankment and so this must not be threatened in any way due to development. This area has huge flooding problems close to Coutances way and so housing should be carefully designed to accommodate these threats.

Ilkley has a need for housing for people on average income - it should not provide large executive houses which Ilkley has plenty of. Housing should be built to 50 dph with limited space for car parking given the near vicinity to public transport – in other words car light development.

Finally the Wharfedale Greenway route passes through this field and should not be threatened by this development.

Providing the above is met, I do not object to this development proceeding.

Object

Representation ID: 30066

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr J.H. Cove

Concern over sites AD3/H, AD4/H, IL1/H, IL3/H & BU1/H resulting in virtual ribbon development between Guiseley and Addingham. Creeping urbanisation is a major threat to the environment and damage those qualities that attract visitors and prosperity.

Maintaining open spaces and wildlife is fundamental to environmentally sound and sustainable development. Plan deviates from this.

Plan offers destruction of the Wharfedale environment with no clear benefit.