A MASSIVE cut in community cash from a controversial Keighley housing project has been branded “diabolical”.

Councillor Brian Morris is angry the company behind the Occupation Lane development successfully applied for a reduction in its Section 106 demand – money paid to fund local infrastructure improvements, such as roads, schools and leisure, to offset the negative impact of new housing on the community.

Persimmon Homes will save about £180,000 on the original £319,598 bill for building 124 homes on fields bordered by Oakworth Road and the Camborne Way/Bromley Grove estate.

Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee agreed last Thursday to let Persimmon pay just £130,000 for improvements at Victoria Primary School in Keighley, instead of the originally-agreed £231,669.

A £30,000 payment for bus stop improvements has been scrapped, and a £50,000 contribution for residents’ Metro travelcards has also been removed.

In addition, Persimmon will have to provide only eight affordable houses rather than the originally-agreed 19. Persimmon initially asked for the entire quota to be scrapped, but council officers objected.

Persimmon's planning application was last year refused by Bradford Council, but this decision was overturned by the government's planning inspector.

Cllr Morris, who represents Keighley West ward on the council, this week said it was “atrocious” the Section 106 figure was being reduced.

He added: “Yet again, Bradford Council is folding in the face of developers.

“The planning application went through despite objections from residents living nearby. Nobody listened to their wishes.

“The Section 106 agreement was made, and if the situation has changed, they should wait for it to get back to where they can afford the original amount. They make enough money from these houses already. Building companies are making millions of pounds.”

Persimmon will still pay £4,000 for public footpath improvements and £3,659 towards drainage, and must provide public open space on the new estate.

The council committee last week agreed a recommendation from its planning officers to reduce Persimmon’s Section 106 total to ensure the company could afford to go ahead with the housing development.

Since 2009, the council has supported reductions in such fees on schemes across Bradford district where there was a strong case it would improve ‘scheme viability’.

Persimmon estimates it will begin construction before the end of the year, with building work continuing into 2017.

Planning permission was eventually given to Persimmon Homes for the Occupation Lane development despite strong opposition from local residents and politicians.