VILLAGERS have been consulted over controversial plans for a £3.5 million housing development on green belt land.

An event was held last Thursday (Jan 8) to outline the proposed 30-home scheme, for a site at the junction of Haworth Road and Turf Lane in Cullingworth.

But the timing of the consultation, at the village's Methodist Church, has been criticised.

Village Council chairman, Councillor Jacqui Guy, said it should have been held earlier.

"These events normally take place before a planning application is submitted so the developer can take on board valid comments and amend the proposals accordingly," she said.

"In this case, the application is already in. It just seems like a knee-jerk reaction to criticism of the plans."

Partner Construction Ltd and Yorkshire Housing are seeking to build a mixture of affordable properties – 15 two-bedroom and 13 three-bedroom houses and two two-bedroom bungalows – plus a dozen allotments.

Opponents of the scheme claim it would put massive strain on the village's infrastructure, create a flooding risk and overload already-congested roads, and that several brownfield sites more suitable for development already exist.

The village council's planning committee has recommended the application be refused.

But Yorkshire Housing says a survey carried out by a specialist consultant, a report from which will be submitted in support of the planning application, identifies a clear need among Cullingworth residents for affordable properties in the village.

And it said the consultation event, attended by about 40 people, was useful in gauging villagers' views.

"Many residents were concerned about the speed of vehicles coming into the village along Haworth Road and the resulting problems they experience turning out of Turf Lane due to poor visibility – we will research measures to overcome this," said Yorkshire Housing development project manager, Linda Gray.

"We are also making changes to the proposed sustainable drainage system, in light of feedback.

"The system, which will manage flow from the site to prevent the main network becoming overrun, will now include a pond which retains water throughout the year. This will create a new habitat for wildlife.

"We also shared the results of the new study about affordable housing need in the village."