Eco-home refused at reservoir site (From Keighley News)

Eco-home refused at reservoir site

9:02am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Miran Rahman

Plans to build an ultra-modern eco-home on the banks of an Oxenhope reservoir have been refused.

The proposals for the glass-fronted home, which would have been located close to 19th-century terraced homes near Leeming Reservoir, were turned down yesterday by Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel.

Commenting on the decision, panel chairman Councillor Doreen Lee said: “I agree fully with Oxenhope Parish Council that this would look better in Canary Wharf. I think the design is totally wrong for the area.”

Applicant Steve Taylor had wanted to build the property as a home for him and his family.

He has previously stated Government policies favoured sustainable development such as his planned eco-home.

He said a team of ecologists had assessed the site and concluded it did not accommodate species that were legally protected for conservation purposes.

Speaking on his behalf at yesterday’s panel meeting, planning consultant Jo Steel noted the site earmarked for development was currently hard to maintain and had been targeted by fly-tippers.

He said the development would offer off-street parking and open up views across the land, and that the completed house and garage would only occupy about 10 per cent of the site.

However, Bradford Council officers recommended the plans be refused.

Planning officer Martyn Burke said the proposals had met with 42 objections and 24 letters of support.

He said the new house would harm the character and appearance of the Leeming Conservation Area and would lead to the loss of a key stretch of open space.

Objector Ken Aitken said the view across the reservoir towards the site was iconic and featured prominently on several websites.

“This is not a brownfield site as alleged by the applicant,” he added. “This is an open piece of land which is home to bats, hedgehogs, toads and other wildlife.”

Coun Reg Hindley, of Oxenhope Parish Council, said Oxenhope’s traditional appearance was “19th century industrial”, but open pieces of land such as this were an important part of the parish’s visual heritage.

Panel members voted unanimously to reject the proposals.

Coun Russell Brown declared an interest, so was not present for the debate or the vote.

• The panel agreed to plans to build six houses on land known as the Chipping Yard, in Low Bank Lane, Oakworth. The meeting was told the applicant had permission to build 12 one-bedroom flats on the site, but wanted to revise this to develop homes instead.