Planning inspector backs council's refusal of Green Belt housing

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 12:03 · Archive

A planning inspector has upheld Bradford Council's decision to refuse permission for nine homes on Green Belt land near Oxenhope.

Bradford Council refused an application from the Trustees of the Holmes Family Trust of 2017 for nine homes on land off Moorhouse Lane in Oxenhope earlier this year. The application sought to test the recently introduced 'grey belt' planning policy, which allows developers to argue that Green Belt areas should be considered 'grey belt' if they believe the land does not meet Green Belt purposes. The applicants claimed the development would bring 'significant benefits' and 'contribute to the vitality of the village'.

Planning officers rejected the scheme, citing potential harm to the land near the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area, a protected natural habitat. The applicants appealed, arguing the Council's reasons for refusal were 'unsubstantiated', and also sought to have the Council pay the costs of the appeal.

Government-appointed planning inspector Chris Mayes has now dismissed both the appeal and the application for costs. He repeated concerns about the impact on the Special Protection Area, stating that much more evidence would be needed to demonstrate there would be no impact on wildlife.

How it is being reported

• 'Disappointed’ villagers say councillors failed to stand up for them on housing planThere were 39 letters of objection, which included concerns about flooding, traffic, and effects on the rural character of an area previously designated Green Belt land.Telegraph & Argus · 29 Oct, 09:27
• Inspector sides with Council on decision to block building on village Green BeltTHE decision to refuse housing plans for a Bronte Country Green Belt site was the correct one – a planning inspector has confirmed.Keighley News · 29 Oct, 03:33
• Inspector sides with Council on decision to block building on village Green BeltTHE decision to refuse housing plans for a Bronte Country Green Belt site was the correct one – a planning inspector has confirmed.Telegraph & Argus · 29 Oct, 03:00

In this story: Bradford Council · Trustees of the Holmes Family Trust of 2017 · Oxenhope · South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area · Chris Mayes

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