Revised plans for West Yorkshire development recommended for approval

A proposed development of almost 300 homes on an agricultural site in West Yorkshire is recommended for approval later todayoday.Harron Homes, supported by ID Planning, submitted an application to Kirklees Council earlier this year for a development on land at Merchants Field, off Hunsworth Lane in Cleckheaton.The 29.7-acre site currently comprises unused agricultural grazing land. It is allocated for residential development in the Kirklees Local Plan with an indicative capacity of 413 homes.Planning permission is sought for the construction of 287 homes, including five affordable housing units.Eleven house types are planned, with a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties.Three areas of public open space would be created together with two access points.A previous application for 267 homes was refused planning permission earlier this year due to concerns over the proposed housing mix and the loss of a hedgerow on the site.Changes have been made to the housing mix in the new plans, and the applicant has also provided supporting information in relation to the methodology for the translocation of the hedgerow.A position statement on the revised plans was considered by the council in October, after which the number of homes was increased from the 284 originally proposed.The new application will go before the council’s strategic planning committee on 16 December and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, in an officer’s report prepared or the meeting.Approval would also be subject to the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government not calling in the application, following a request from a third party.