DELIGHTED protesters and councillors have celebrated victory after controversial plans to build 124 new homes on greenfield land in Keighley were rejected by Bradford Council.

A Persimmon Homes application for the site south of Occupation Lane was unanimously thrown out by members of the council’s regulatory and appeals committee last week.

Angry protesters had attacked the plans, fearing traffic problems on surrounding roads due to the expected increase in cars, forecast at 250.

Residents also feared Occupation Lane itself would be used as a “rat run” by motorists looking for alternative access to and from the site when nearby Wheathead Lane/Keighley Road are congested.

Inadequacy of existing drainage systems at the sloping site and future flooding worries were also cited in residents’ statements.

The scheme provoked a total of 178 objections from residents and councillors.

The proposed access to the site would have been via a new junction formed opposite Camborne Way, crossing Occupation Lane.

Persimmon’s application was refused by the committee due to two main concerns.

The first was unjustified access to the junction of Wheathead Lane and Oakworth Road and no proposals for any mitigating measures of controlling the traffic caused.

A second concern from members related to the application encouraging unlawful vehicle use of Occupation Lane, without the planning of effective-enough deterrents to drivers.

Speaking after the meeting, Keighley West ward councillor, Adrian Farley, said: “I’m delighted regulatory and appeals voted to refuse this application despite the officer recommendation to pass it.

“The next step is to see whether the developer will submit an appeal. They have six months to do that from the date of the council’s decision notice.”

Cllr Farley added he was very concerned government efforts to stimulate house building in the current economic climate mean developers no longer need to first consider brownfield sites.

“I think they should have a legal duty to look at brownfield land first,” he said.

“The whole planning system seems to be controlled by the national government’s perspective. That goes against the government’s own localism agenda.”

Also responding to the Occupation Lane refusal, resident and objector, David Ellis, said: “I’m very pleased with the decision. We have done what we can in terms of the planning process.”

Cllr Jan Smithies, who also represents Keighley West ward, said: “This is a good victory for the residents involved.

“I know there is a need for housing in Keighley, but the developments have got to have access that is viable for everyone.”

Wayne Gradwell, managing director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “This is extremely frustrating having worked with the council over many months to achieve a residential layout that would have provided a mix of house types much needed in the area.

“As is always the case, we will now consider the council’s reason for refusal and this will include exploring all options, together with the possibility of making a planning appeal.”

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