A controversial application to build 270 homes development on a designated green space site in Bradford has been officially put before planners.
Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire has submitted plans to Bradford Council for the site on Cote Farm Estate beside Leeds Road, Thackley.
But the scheme faces fierce opposition from a resident’s campaign against the proposed development which is growing in size and commitment, said ward Councillor Jeanette Sunderland:
“I’ve never known such overwhelming opposition to a housing scheme,” said Coun Sunderland.
“When there was an initial meeting this summer to judge the scale of feeling against it it we had to move from Thackley cricket clubhouse and hold the meeting outside because so many people turned up.
“There must have been at least 150 people there.
“This is designated urban green space that should not even be considered for development.”
Campaigner Isobel Burgess keeps her horse at stables near Cote Farm and said there would be massive consequences for local life.
“I’m fully aware of the huge impact that this will have on everyone from the local schools, the volume of traffic and pollution on Leeds Road down to Fox Corner in Shipley,” said Miss Burgess
“Also, Leeds Road leading up to Thackley corner is so dangerous and so narrow with parked cars on either side with lorries and buses hurtling up-sometimes you have to literally stop the traffic so a lorry can get past.”
She said there would also be an irreversible impact on what is now a natural haven.
“My horse is also stabled there and so I’m there every day and see wildlife including bats, owls and foxes.
“Soon and there may be no green fields left around there anymore.
“I thought the other day that literally 'the only place to see a green field will be in a zoo'.
“We can not afford to loose these fields – they are so precious to so many people,” Miss Burgess said.
Wayne Gradwell, managing director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “Our application proposes that we build a total of 270 much needed two, three, four and five-bedroom family homes on the site adjacent to Crooked Lane in Thackley.
“We have endeavored to address the concerns of the local residents and have carried out a wide range of in depth reports including a full transport assessment and travel plan, flooding and drainage assessment, ecology survey, tree survey, noise assessment, landscape appraisal, heritage assessment, sustainable design and construction report, geo-environmental appraisal, access proposals and all the necessary plans and drawings to support the application.
“It is very important to us that we develop homes that serve the local community. We await a decision from Bradford Council.”