Decision due on Cleckheaton elderly complex plans for green fields

The scheme is on Council-owned green fields in Cleckheaton, with Housing 21, a not-for-profit provider of retirement housing, behind the plans.

Outline plans to build 55 homes on the 1.68 hectare site off Kenmore Drive were approved in 2017 despite more than 100 letters of objection from local residents. This time the level of objection was largely reduced, with just 15 representations received by Kirklees Council.

Complaints have centred on the fact that the land is one of only a few green spaces left in the town, highways safety as Kenmore Drive is currently a cul-de-sac built to service 14 bungalows, and the size and height of the building. There have also been concerns raised about the impact on wildlife currently making the site their home.

The site itself is surrounded by housing on three sides and a care home to the south.

The site off Kenmore Drive in Cleckheaton

The Housing 21 development would provide 80 one and two bedroom apartments with central communal facilities, including a lounge, dining room, activity rooms and hair salon.

A large portion of the site, which is currently allocated for housing in the Local Plan, would remain as a “natural green space”.

A report to the Council's strategic planning committee states that the extra care building would be built in the southern part of the site, with communal gardens to the north, with an area of public open space beyond.

The building would be four storeys high, dropping to a maximum height of two and three storeys near to neighbouring residential properties. Construction materials are red brickwork and a contrasting darker brickwork and red roof tiling.

Housing 21's plans for the Cleckheaton site

The report adds: "The proposal would deliver 80 extra care apartments which is an acceptable form of housing development on this allocated site.

"A need to increase the supply of specialist housing for older people has been identified within the Council’s Housing Delivery Plan 2018 and the scheme is located in an area with one of the highest percentage of population aged 65 and over.

"The scheme will meet an identified housing need, and the proposals comprise 100% affordable housing."

A design and access statement accompanying the application states: “We believe the site’s location is suitable and sustainable for an extra care development of this nature for residents to use and access local services,” it states.

“The topography of the site although challenging will allow a bespoke building that responds to the level changes of the site with upper and lower ground accommodation and level access to garden spaces for all residents. It is intended to keep the northern part of the site accessible for the immediate community.”

If approved a legal agreement would need to be drawn up to establish a management company to maintain the public open space area, and to ensure that the flats are secured as 100 per cent affordable housing - 61 for affordable rent and 19 for shared ownership.

The plans will go to committee on December 16.