TH2/H - Thornton Road

Object

Representation ID: 4564

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Steve Tandy

Many people use the path across the field and the proposed building of houses here is likely to reduce the use of this important recreational path. The popularity of this route has undoubtedly increased during the pandemic as local routes have become more popular due to travel restrictions, aiding the fight against obesity and providing walking routes without needing to drive. Flooding on Thornton Road is already an issue and the loss of these fields will surely exacerbate the issue in the future.

Object

Representation ID: 4566

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Joanne Wilcock

This is a sight of national importance to our country’s history and literary heritage. Houses built here would have a negative impact on the openness of the area to the many locals and international visitors who walk the Bronte Way drawn here by the interest in the Brontës. The houses could and so should be built in a less sensitive area.This área should be preserved to be enjoyed by walkers who come to this area to connect with its open spaces with pleasant far reaching views across the valleys.

Object

Representation ID: 4647

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Julie Williams

I am writing to object about the proposed building plans for site TH2/H. I am in agreement with the objections written by our Thornton ward councillors. Thornton has a unique history as the birthplace of the Brontes . This history needs protecting and enhancing. I do not feel that this will be the case if this development goes ahead . The development will ruin the character of the village and thus have a detrimental effect on the ability of the village to promote itself as a cultural heritage site.

Object

Representation ID: 4758

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Lisa Banks

Heritage!!! This land inc part of the Bronte Way & shouldn’t be ruined by building - they’re are international literary figureheads & their heritage should be protected and praised/promoted - it is shameful that this has not be considered. This land also has a huge amount of water which runs off the fields during/after rain/snow - where will this go when there are buildings instead of land to absorb it? If houses are needed other land should be utilised eg Denholme Velvets/Prospect Mill. In any builds Local Infrastructure needs vast improvement as schools, doctors, dentist, shops, road surfaces are all woefully lacking now.

Object

Representation ID: 4759

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Tracy Revell

It will be a massive blur in the landscape
Not to mention there is already not enough doctors, schools etc in the area .
Ppl come from all over to walk that route

Object

Representation ID: 4978

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Miss Beverly Denton

It would have a severe and detrimental impact on the natural and visual environment. Considerations to be given which are mentioned in this report are: Greenfield Woodland Priority Habitat, some land is in Protected Greenspace in the RUDP, Open Space Designation, South Pennine Moors 7km buffer zone, Green Infrastructure Corridor, Grade II listed buildings within 200m of site. The Bronte Way runs alongside this proposal and the cultural and tourist value of this area would be severely adversely affected. Open views over to Thornton Viaduct (which is a major tourist attraction for walkers and cyclists) and Queensbury would be ruined so visual pollution is a big factor. Considerations should be given to the limited school provision and medical centre provision which would both need to be expanded. Access to Thornton Road is a problem due to the sloping nature of the site.

Object

Representation ID: 5012

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Bradford District Ward Councillor (Conservative)

Not taken into consideration the health care medical facilities and schools.

Object

Representation ID: 5030

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Bradford District Ward Councillor (Conservative)

Not enough schools. Medical health centres could not cope with the additional volume of resdentists.
The local school could not handle extra parking therefore making it even more dangerous that it already is.

Object

Representation ID: 5159

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Ms Helen Marriott

Increased risk of water run off affecting lower buildings and roads lower due to reduced capacity of land to absorb water.
Proximity to protected habitats. Negative impact of increased footfall and traffic.
Increase in traffic leading to traffic log jams, particularly at peak times and during road works and bad weather.
Inability of local infrastructure; roads, schools, doctors, dentist, public transportation and limited leisure facilities to cope with any increase in demand.
Destruction of unique character and heritage of village.
Unnecessary destruction of green field/belt when should be developing empty properties and brown field and derelict sites first.
Negative impact on local economy as village less attractive to visitors, particularly walkers.
Reducing village to 'commuter' belt where majority of new residents are not actively engaged in the community.
Increased threat to livestock from 'out of control' dogs. Increased volume of dog faeces fouling local footpaths, pavements and other habitats.

Object

Representation ID: 5171

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr John Dale

This site is an important part of the Bronte Stones walk and is a short distance from the birthplace of the Bronte sisters. Walkers enjoy breath -taking views of Pinch Beck Valley and moors. The walk attracts many tourists from around the world bringing much needed capital to the local economy. Building 150 houses would have a detrimental effect on the rural views.
Re the sustainability appraisal, this states that there are 13 Grade 2 listed buildings within 200m of the site; this development would have an adverse effect on these sensitive heritage assets.
The northern part of the site slopes very steeply; drainage would be a problem and major works would be needed.
Any development would have an adverse effect on traffic on Thornton Road, and would create pressure on schools, medical centre and dentists.
The urban sprawl continues, we shall soon have no countryside to enjoy.

Object

Representation ID: 5199

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Norman Croft

The land indicated is a natural water table. The mains/sewers in Thornton are not capable of coping without MAJOR reconstruction of the drains/sewers.
The roads cannot cope with the traffic already using Thornton road.
Twice a day 5 days a week Thornton road is narrowed to virtually one lane from Alderscholes to half a mile past Thornton Primary through parents parking both sides to collect children,
The schools in Thornton are not big enough to cope with more students.
One Doctors surgery, which is virtually impossible to make an appt. now.
James street is almost impossible to access due to cars parked up it and also outside the Coop
150 houses on this site alone, proposed equals 4 people per house ave. and 2 cars average total 600 people and 300 cars extra
What with the other site proposals where is everyone going to fit in???

Object

Representation ID: 5204

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Nick Bewes

As you say it's partly protected as village Greenspace in the RUDP. And the Brone Way walk goes through it.

Object

Representation ID: 5239

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Clive Richardson

I have no objection to development on the frontages, allowing space for grazing animals to access the rest of the land, but this, again, is the direct result of your warped green belt policy. We don't want high density housing on this highly prominent hillside. If there was development in areas les able to be seen, as well in Keelham and Back Heights, it would relieve the need to build concrete jungles on prominent hillsides. You suggest housing in Green Belt on one side of the Bell Chapel Churchyard but not the two fields between the other side and Green Lane, or indeed on Green Lane itself.

Object

Representation ID: 5608

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Ms Ann Dinsdale

It seems amazingly short sighted to destroy such an important heritage site. The Brontë stones walk has created interest in this area of Thornton bringing walkers, visitors and a much needed boost to the local economy. The backs of 150 houses along this popular walk will detract from this open green countryside and once it has been spoilt the damage is done. The association with the Brontë family is hugely important to Thornton’s economy, and as well as attracting visitors interested in the family this area of green space is a pleasure and resource for local people.

Object

Representation ID: 5861

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Claire Maslen

New housing between the cemetery and the bowling green on beautiful unspoilt greenfield site goes completely against the Council's promises to protect the environment. It would destroy wildlife habitat and utterly block the views across the Pinch Beck Valley from the unique and popular Brontë Walk path. It is also very boggy ground due to natural springs and you would face unnecessary drainage expenses. Build on Brownfield, invest in the dying city centre, but keep our green fields green for future generations to enjoy, knowing they are gazing on the same unspoilt view that the Brontë sisters enjoyed 250 years ago. Come on Bradford Council, you are more considerate than this ill-thought, unwanted proposal. Don't build here! Turn the empty city centre into C21st, modern, environmentally friendly apartments and bring it back to life. Be innovative! Be the first city to react positively to the loss of city centre shops!

Object

Representation ID: 5876

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Matthew Maslen

To preserve the natural beauty of the Bronte stones walk & the Bronte Way

Object

Representation ID: 5896

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Miss I M

We simply can't cover up beautiful green land with houses when there are other more suitable places and areas you can choose to build on. It's a public footpath and houses would spoil the view, damage habitat and destroy nature. A more suitable place to build for example would be where the mill burned down because it is not fair to spoil green fields. We can't keep destroying greenery and take advantage of the environment. It is a natural corridor from the cemetery woods to the council allotments for wildlife and the public. The land is natural and boggy so if built on the fields, there would be a problem with drainage and stability. I love my village and want to stay living in a natural, green, beautiful area, I want to look after and protect its unique rural location filled with nature and wildlife. PLEASE DON'T.

Object

Representation ID: 5962

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Robert Maslen

This is a greenfield site: build on brownfield first.
It is an ancient byway - part of the Bronte Way, a tourist attraction that relies on its rural setting and original natural context. Building here will obstruct beloved views of the Pinch Beck valley and reduce the number of visitors.
New roads will need to be built to service the new housing, causing further disruption/destruction.
The site sits on natural springs, building on which will lead to flooding, either on the site or elsewhere.
The woods in the cemetery are graded/listed woodland and important natural habitats.
Hundreds of people use the pathways every week - they are essential to the health of local people.
There is a clear brownfield alternative - the footprints of the mills that were recently burned down on Thornton Road.

Object

Representation ID: 12370

Received: 21/03/2021

Respondent: Manny McKenzie

Damaging effect development would have on rural character of Thornton, especially along the Bronte Way.
Loss of attractiveness for visitors to birthplace of the Bronte Sisters.
Effect for overseas visitors who invariably comment on the delightful rural views they encounter during visits and walks in the area.
Industrial, rural, and literary heritage should be preserved.

The Council should adopt building standards that all new homes should comply with, insulation standards at Passiv House or carbon neutral level. For inner city brownfield sites, the margins between cost of development and sale price might be slim, the added costs of building to Passiv House standards (10 - 15%) might make this uneconomic. However, use of available grants/subsidies for energy efficient housing, would make such housing affordable. In desirable areas these building standards would be less of an issue, given the lifetime savings on utility bills.
These building standards would mark Bradford an environmentally aware/climate-responsible city and increase it's attractiveness.

Object

Representation ID: 13361

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Jac Morton

Your report states; “Part of the site is protected as village Greenspace in the RUDP. The site is within an expanse of open hillside in the centre of the Thornton Settlement. The Bronte Way public footpath, which is a draw for tourists and has high cultural significance, runs along the north of the site. The site consists of several agricultural fields, separated by dry stone walls.”

This site, in combination with the others proposed, will create 3 large new housing estates and adversely affect the character of Thornton Village, which is listed in the RUDP, 12.43 & Policy NE3 (quoted for reference below).

They will change the landscape of a rural village, turning it into a large housing estate.

Furthermore no consideration has been given to the impact on current residents. GP surgeries are already at capacity, local schools are at capacity and traffic already an issue during rush hour.

Object

Representation ID: 15448

Received: 22/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Lesley Schofield

Development of the site would have an impact on the beautiful Bronte landscape - attractive to tourists.

The site is within a Green Infrastructure Corridor.

The site is located within the 7km buffer of the SPA/SAC.

The Bronte way runs along the site which is a key public footpath and tourist asset. The Bronte Way public footpath, which is a draw for tourists and has high cultural significance, runs along north of site and would spoil the originality of the route.

Object

Representation ID: 18021

Received: 22/03/2021

Respondent: Bradford District Ward Councillor (Labour)

Number of people: 3

-Consideration has not been given to wider impacts of this potential development.
-Houses should not be built on this site.
-The site plays a pivotal role in our districts and the world’s literary and cultural history.
-Developing on this site makes no economic or cultural sense.
-Proximity to the Bronte Stones walk.
-Detrimental impact on the views (of moorlands and Pinch Beck Valley) that people travel from all over the world to see / made famous by the Bronte sisters and by consequence negatively impact on the cultural economy of our district.
-Bradford’s economic recovery centres culture - proposals to build on this site clearly go against this plan.
-We should be protecting greenfield spaces especially when they hold such significant cultural and social value as this one.
-Part of this site is protected village greenspace in the RUDP.
-There are clearly no exceptional circumstances to build on this site.
-Consider alternative brownfield sites.

Support

Representation ID: 21645

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Nancy Briggs

Agent: Johnson Mowat

This response supports the inclusion of sites TH2/H and TH4/H. Both are capable of supporting relevant elements of the Local Area Strategy including the: -

- Creation of an integrated new community in the Western Thornton Masterplan area.

- Continued protection of important areas of open space such as Thornton Cemetery and Thornton Recreation Ground and seek opportunities to increase provision of parks, play areas and allotments where possible.

- Protection and enhancement of the biodiversity and landscape character of the Pinch Beck Valley, the Great Northern Railway Trail and the Bronte Way and the cultural associations of the Bronte landscape;

- Conserve and enhance the heritage of Thornton

The development considerations contained in the individual Site Details in the Draft Local Plan are achievable.

There are no known viability issues. There are no environmental constraints associated with the site that cannot be dealt with via appropriate design.

Support

Representation ID: 21650

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Nancy Fairbank

Agent: Johnson Mowat

This response supports the inclusion of sites TH2/H and TH4/H. Both are capable of supporting relevant elements of the Local Area Strategy including the: -

- Creation of an integrated new community in the Western Thornton Masterplan area.

- Continued protection of important areas of open space such as Thornton Cemetery and Thornton Recreation Ground and seek opportunities to increase provision of parks, play areas and allotments where possible.

- Protection and enhancement of the biodiversity and landscape character of the Pinch Beck Valley, the Great Northern Railway Trail and the Bronte Way and the cultural associations of the Bronte landscape;

- Conserve and enhance the heritage of Thornton

The development considerations contained in the individual Site Details in the Draft Local Plan are achievable.

There are no known viability issues. There are no environmental constraints associated with the site that cannot be dealt with via appropriate design.

Support

Representation ID: 21655

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Mrs Amy Treetops

Agent: Johnson Mowat

This response supports the inclusion of sites TH2/H and TH4/H. Both are capable of supporting relevant elements of the Local Area Strategy including the: -

- Creation of an integrated new community in the Western Thornton Masterplan area.

- Continued protection of important areas of open space such as Thornton Cemetery and Thornton Recreation Ground and seek opportunities to increase provision of parks, play areas and allotments where possible.

- Protection and enhancement of the biodiversity and landscape character of the Pinch Beck Valley, the Great Northern Railway Trail and the Bronte Way and the cultural associations of the Bronte landscape;

- Conserve and enhance the heritage of Thornton

The development considerations contained in the individual Site Details in the Draft Local Plan are achievable.

There are no known viability issues. There are no environmental constraints associated with the site that cannot be dealt with via appropriate design.

Object

Representation ID: 28661

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Ann Binder

Negative impact on the Bronte stones walk, overseas visitors wouldn't want to come here if the walk/views are surrounded by a vast housing estate. Local economy would be adversely affected by development. The Brontë's legacy in Thornton must be protected.

Negative visual impact on listed buildings.

Inadequate drainage - Extensive work would need to be carried out on the proposed site to prevent flooding due to the steep incline of the land.

Impact on flora/fauna, protected spices, There is a honey farm nearby. The development of the site will stop bees and other pollinators from foraging.

Loss of green areas vital for physical and metal well-being.

Increase in traffic. Traffic speeds its way through Thornton Village disregarding speed limits and road markings

Local schools, doctors and dentists these are already full to capacity, Will bigger schools or extensions to existing ones be built, along with bigger doctors dentists practices?

Loss of village status - now appears to be a long corridor in the midst of motorists on their way too and from work.

Extra pollution due to another few hundred cars on the roads would be a health hazard.

Comment

Representation ID: 28758

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Environment Agency

Site in Flood Zone 1 ONLY
Mitigation should be set above the 1 in 100 plus cc level for the site as suitable for the proposed vulnerability classification (EA standing advice should cover this).

If the site is considered Greenfield then surface water discharge rates post development should be restricted to the pre development Greenfield discharge rate. If the site is considered Brownfield then there should be a 30% reduction in surface water discharges, or restricted to Greenfield rates, there should be no increase in brownfield surface water discharge rates post development. So as to support prevention of cumulative increases to flood risk and should be in line with SuDs design principles.

For developments near ordinary watercourses we would recommend an 8 metre easement strip along the length of the riverbank, or a 45degree angle from the bed in the case of culverts, to be kept clear of permanent structures such as buildings. This is to maintain access to the riverbank for any improvements or maintenance. A Flood Defence Consent may be required for the LLFA for works in/affecting an ordinary watercourse.

For main rivers, we generally require an 8 metre easement strip along the length of the riverbank to be kept clear of permanent structures such as buildings, or a 45degree angle from the bed in the case of culverts. This is to maintain access to the riverbank for any improvements or maintenance. Environmental Flood Risk Activity Permits may be required for development near rivers.

It is possible the sites within close proximity to Flood Zones 3b, 3 and 2 may be subject to future risk identified within the SFRA (to follow) which may affect its allocation or how development should be sequentially laid out on the site.

Consideration must be made to making space for water and providing betterment in terms of flood risk management where ever possible.

Object

Representation ID: 29448

Received: 29/03/2021

Respondent: Historic England

The site is located to the south of several Grade II Listed Buildings along Hill Top Road. Development could potentially affect the setting of the heritage assets on Hill Top Road. The development of this area could harm elements which contribute to the significance of these designated heritage assets.
The site proforma for this site makes no reference to the sites proximity to Ebor Mills, or to the need to ensure that those elements which contribute to the significance of this designated heritage asset are not harmed by development.
Site TH2/H:
a) Add a reference to the sites proximity to designated heritage assets along Hill Top Road under the Constraints and Opportunities section of the site pro
forma.
b) Add the following additional Development Consideration to the site pro forma:
‘Consider the impact of development on the setting of heritage assets along Hill Top Road and appropriately
avoid/minimise any harm caused.

Object

Representation ID: 29919

Received: 17/03/2021

Respondent: Bridge View Developments Ltd

Agent: Bradley Stankler Planning

TH2/H

Comment on Green Belt Function: N/A

General Comment: Prominent hillside site, northern part of which is site steeply. Development of all of site would lead to adverse impact on character of village. Only southern part of site should be developed.

Draft Local Plan Estimated Gross Capacity: 150

Evidence Based Conclusion On Suitability & Capacity: 75 dwelling capacity due to landscape impact of development of northern part of site.