‘Village must bid for homes cash’ (From Keighley News)

‘Village must bid for homes cash’

11:00am Sunday 19th August 2012 in News By Miran Rahman

Oxenhope must stake a claim for community contribution cash being offered by the developer of a new residential development, according to the parish council chairman.

Councillor Neal Cameron said he wanted the parish to benefit from section 106 money available from the company developing homes at Perseverance Mill in Station Road, Oxenhope.

He said a sum of £13,898 was on offer, which must specifically be used for recreation facilities.

He said the council needed to draw up a list of its recreation spending priorities and submit it to the Worth Valley’s three district councillors.

• Councillors raised no objection to a retrospective application for solar panels in a field at Yate Lane.

Applicant Michael Ross told the meeting the panels were mostly screened by plants and trees, though were visible from a 50-metre stretch of Hebden Bridge Road.

He said the panels were resting on the grass and had not been dug into the ground, and produced a petition in support of the panels signed by 18 residents. Coun Cameron said he had no objection, but noted that the council must judge applications for solar panels on a site-by-site basis.

• Coun Cameron recommended the parish council should apply for a grant from the Community Right to Challenge programme.

The initiative is accepting applications from organisations in England that want to take over a local service in order to run it more effectively. Coun Cameron said a successful application would support the parish council’s investigation into taking over responsibility for maintaining Oxenhope’s recreation ground and rose garden. Both areas are currently managed by Bradford Council.

• The parish council will submit a ‘neighbour area’ application to Bradford to enable it to respond effectively to long-term plans to develop more houses in the parish.

Coun Cameron argued that if the council took part in this process, it would have more influence over where the new homes will be located.

He said the parish council should also have more say over future public services and infrastructure provision.

Bradford Council’s Local Development Framework has suggested 150 houses are needed in Oxenhope by 2028 to cope with demand for accommodation.

• Oxenhope Youth Club is applying for a £3,500 grant.

Coun Penny Cusdin said the cash would enable the group to continue running sessions for youngsters for another six months. The money is being offered by the Youth Opportunity Fund.

Later in the meeting, the parish council agreed to authorise a grant of £600 to help cover the ongoing running costs of the club.