RESIDENTS are unhappy with a developer’s updated plans to bring 10 homes to Gomersal after the firm's earlier application was turned down.

Binks Executive Homes has submitted an application to Kirklees Council for 10 homes on land to the rear of 23-45 Moor Lane.

This follows the rejection of their earlier application for an almost identical development despite officers recommending it be approved.

In June, an outline planning application went to the Council’s planning sub-committee for the Heavy-Woollen area.

This again proposed ten homes for the site and plans for the site’s access point between two homes on Moor Lane, with other matters such as layout, scale and appearance to be decided at a later date.

The application was brought to the committee due to 111 representations being received and a call from Birstall and Birkenshaw councillor Elizabeth Smaje. Cllr Smaje did so on the grounds of highway safety, housing density, the reduction of open space and a change to the character of the area.

Ultimately, the committee refused the application stating density and overdevelopment of the site, impact on the amenities of existing properties, and highway safety, as their reasons for doing so.

Following this rejection, the applicant has met planning and highways officers to discuss the committee’s concerns and aims to address them in the subsequent application.

A planning statement explains that the applicant has sought legal advice and it is believed that an appeal over the previous scheme would “very likely” be successful.

However, locals aren’t on board with the fresh plans with 30 representations already being received. The reasons for objecting range from overdevelopment and the resulting strain on schools, doctors and dentists to traffic and road safety.

One objector said: “As a resident of Moor Lane, the levels of traffic passing through is already far too high. The residential street is used as a rat run, with cars flying up and down quite dangerously. Building more houses in this area will lead to more traffic in an already built-up area.”

Another objector said; “I oppose the planning application for a few reasons. The main reason is the pressure the additional development would put on already struggling local infrastructure. Access to school, doctors, dentist etc is already a struggle for existing residents."

The developer concludes in its planning statement: “The location of the site in the residential area of Gomersal, Cleckheaton provides an excellent opportunity for a sustainable development on an unallocated parcel of disused land."

“The proposals would provide 10 dwellings for the local community whilst also helping towards the Council’s current under-supply of housing.”