PLANS for 287 homes on farmland in Cleckheaton are being recommended for approval - but there has already been a request to the Secretary of State to call the decision in.
The controversial scheme by Harron Homes on five fields at Merchant Fields Farm in Hunsworth, was revised from an earlier 267-home bid which was knocked back in April.
A second scheme for 284 home on the site was discussed by councillors in October, and the developer then made changes which saw the number of homes increase by a further three properties, to 287.
Now the final scheme is being recommended by Kirklees Council planners. But as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has received a request from a third party to call in the current application, officers have agreed not to issue a decision notice should the committee decide to approve the application.
A report to the Council's strategic planning committee states: "Officers have given an undertaking to the SoS not to issue the decision notice should the Strategic Planning Committee resolve to approve the application – this is to give the SoS an opportunity to decide whether or not to call in the application, which he would only do if the Strategic Planning Committee resolve to grant permission."
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It also details how an earlier financial viability appraisal from Harron Homes which claimed the then 284-home development would not be viable if it had to provide affordable homes on site and pay £2.4 million towards local amenities, has been withdrawn.
As a result, if approved the planning obligations will now include: 57 homes to be affordable housing; £1,159,213 towards education requirements arising from the development; £419,324 towards off-site public open space provisions; around £162,000 towards air quality mitigation; a £145,000 contribution towards sustainable travel measures; about £120,000 towards off-site biodiversity; and £65,000 towards off-site highway works.
More than 100 objections have been sent to the Council over the scheme, with concerns raised around the impact of increased traffic on local roads, and the effect on local amenities, as well as the location of a mine shaft on the site.
Local Councillor Kath Pinnock has also raised concerns. She said: "I am not convinced that the latest proportions of different house types and sizes in the plan are sufficient to meet the concerns raised at the last committee and meet the Council's policy objectives."
The meeting is being held on December 16.
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