In case you are not already aware a new full planning application has been submitted by Newett Homes for 72 more houses at Drabble House Farm. Here is the proposed layout:
Access would be from Middleway, where cars currently exit from the school. Some of the site on the east side is actually in greenbelt. Clearly it would drastically change the much heralded green setting of our new school. It also abuts the valued Conservation Area of Brunthwaite and would effectively join up Silsden with Brunthwaite. We know that most people in Silsden will once again have that feeling of dread, imagining the loss of yet more green fields, and thinking that there isn’t much you can do about it. But you can.
The application process is in its early stage and we will be providing more detailed comment in the coming weeks. But for now you can see all the planning documents by logging on to planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications and searching for 23/1983/MAF. You can make you comments there.
There are many aspects that you may wish to comment on such as:
- Lack of sustainable drainage
- Increased traffic congestion
- loss of green fields
- Impact on greenbelt
- Landscape degradation
- Loss of identity for Brunthwaite
- Insufficient public transport links
However there is an even bigger overall picture to consider, particularly if you take into account the neighbouring proposal by Persimmons which is still going through the planning application process. As we have discussed before our planning decisions are made on the basis of a district wide plan, which is formulated by Bradford Council. The current (RUDP) plan is still in place and this is the starting point for decision making. There is a new plan underway but it will take some time for this to be finalised. The total number of new houses planned for Silsden over the timespan for both of these plans is currently1200. This is roughly double the average rate for the Bradford District as a whole. Of this total approximately700 have already been built or have been granted planning permission. If these two applications were to be approved the ‘granted’ total would rise to well over 900 houses or more than 75% of the total target number. Even if you were to accept the high allocation for Silsden, it is obvious that things have been rushed, with developers taking advantage of the current situation and the length of time it takes for a new plan to become adopted.
The current draft of the new plan would not allow either of these proposed developments to take place. This is why Newetts are pushing ahead so urgently, leaving only one day after their supposed ‘consultation’ process before submitting their planning application. Another box ticked and people left unrepresented! They argue that the new plan should have no effect until it is actually adopted. This is not likely to be until 2024 at the earliest, by which time it would be too late and the damage would have been done if these applications were to be approved. The new plan would in effect be dead on arrival, with the allocations largely fulfilled with no prioritising of sites having taken place. Remember: Not all sites are equal. We deserve to have some effective control over what gets built and where.
Meanwhile every day brings increase awareness that our local services are not growing at the same pace as our population. We still have no improvements to our public transport as previously promised. Traffic congestion and subsequent pollution just gets worse, particularly since the relocation of the school. And please don’t hold your breath if you hope to get a doctor’s appointment anytime soon.
Despite what Newetts and Persimmons say Bradford Council does have the discretion to turn down these, and any similar applications. There should be no further housing development until a properly formulated, sustainable plan is in place, and there has been a substantial delivery of the much need improvements to our local infrastructure.
