RESIDENTS in Hellifield have been invited to a meeting to give their views on a request by Gleeson Homes to vary its planning obligations concerning the former auction mart site.

The auction mart site was first earmarked for development back in 1993 and Gleeson Homes was given outline planning permission for housing development on the land.

Since then, full planning permission has been given for approximately 89 houses to be constructed by the company, but numerous planning conditions were placed on the agreements.

At a meeting of Craven District Council's planning committee back in May, it was agreed that Gleesons could explore the possibility of varying the planning obligations in consultation with Hellifield Parish Council and the ward representative Coun David Crawford.

Gleeson Homes agreed to two planning obligations related to phasing and affordable housing, but the company now wishes to vary these.

The phasing obligation limits the number of new houses to be occupied each year. The current limit is 10 houses per year, but the company has requested this number is increased by 50 per cent to 15.

The affordable housing obligation imposes restrictions on the size and occupancy of 20 houses on the site. These restrictions ensure that a proportion of smaller more affordable houses are built and made available only to people from the local area, who have particular housing needs.

For example, a restricted house can be occupied by a first-time buyer from Long Preston.

However, Gleeson Homes are proposing an alternative plan, which is to make houses available to a housing association at a discount.

An established housing association is interested in purchasing discounted properties, which it would make available, on a shared-equity basis to local people in housing need.

The parish council has already raised concerns about any variations and has said it feels Hellifield already has an adequate amount of affordable houses. Existing council and other rented accommodation is also thought to be sufficient.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday June 20 at 7.45pm in the Hellifield Institute where representatives from Craven District Council and Gleesons will be present to listen to the views of the parish council and local people.

All are welcome to attend or alternatively, residents who have an opinion on any of the above, should contact any members of the parish council or the parish council clerk Cathy Dakin on 01729 850682.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.