Residents say plans for 147 houses are not suitable for site

An online petition containing more than 160 signatures and 94 letters of objection were sent to Bradford Council over an application to reclaim Hazelhurst Quarry in Queensbury and prepare the site for the building of 142 homes.

The application, by Leeds-based Harron Homes, will go before Bradford Council’s Area Planning Panel on Monday.

Objections included concerns that the development would add to the strain on village roads and services.

Residents also said the site had been used as a recreational area for more than 30 years and had a public footpath across it.

Councillor Michael Walls (Con, Queensbury), who also raised objections, said: “We appreciate that this is the sort of land where houses should be built if we needed them. But the problem in Queensbury is the schools are full, the exits they are proposing are chock-a-block every morning and in the evening. We are working with Bradford South highways officers to reduce this but the planning officers were not aware.

“Doctors, dentists are all under pressure, as they are everywhere, but particularly in Queensbury. There’s no infrastructure to support endless building because of the tremendous amount of building we have had in the past few years.”

Officers have recommended the development be subject to a Section 106 Agreement to include £231,562 towards education in the area and £141,875 in lieu of on-site recreation provision.

The agreement would also require Harron Homes to sell a quarter of the development at a 35 per cent discount on its open market value.

A report by officers states: “The density, scale, form, layout and design of the proposal are acceptable and present no concerns with regard to residential amenity and highway safety. The proposal is considered acceptable and, with the attached conditions and legal agreement, satisfies the requirements of policies… of the adopted Replacement Unitary Development Plan.”