A 35 home scheme for flood-prone land at Pool-in-Wharfedale has been rejected.

Clough Hey Limited wanted to construct the properties on a plot beside Chapel Hill Road, which has flooded badly in recent years.

The site is also earmarked as part of a protected status area - Protected Area of Search (PAS) - under Leeds City Council's proposed Site Allocations Plan.

Announcing its decision to refuse the outline application this week, Leeds planners said: "It is considered the development of the wider PAS / Safeguarded Land should be considered comprehensively and as part of a future Development Plan Review, and in the context of the infrastructure needs of the area.

"It is further considered the development would...exceed the capacity of current transport and educational structure, and has poor access to public transport linkages."

Pool Parish Council had cited road capacity and safety concerns among its concerns.

Those were shared by the planners, who concluded: "The proposal has not demonstrated that the development can be accommodated safely and satisfactorily on the local highway network."

A parish council spokesman said: "We are pleased with this decision because we know traffic is an issue, and this site is on the flood plain."

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) added: "I am pleased and happy the reasons given for refusal are fundamental to the way in which Pool will develop.

"Any development must be taken in a much wider context and not be piecemeal, and include the impact of traffic on the village and the wider network - which will only increase due to developments in nearby areas.

"Any developer looking to build on PAS land in Pool needs to take a holistic approach and work with residents, the Neighbourhood Plan group and councillors so that a benefit, in terms of long-term infrastructure, can be put in place."

A planning application for a 70-home scheme for Pool, meanwhile - this time for PAS land behind Church Close - has now been submitted.

Taylor Wimpey held a consultation on the proposals, for a field behind 33 to 40 Church Close with main access from the A659 Pool Road, earlier this year.

A number of objections have already been lodged, including from MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West).

He said: "Pool is a small village, already struggling with the amount of traffic flowing through.

"The site of this proposed development, with access opposite the Shell garage, is completely inappropriate and will only exacerbate current traffic problems.

“Leeds has also confirmed, through its Site Allocations Plan, that the site is not required to meet the overall housing requirement and that there are other more suitable alternative sites.

“I would urge it to reject the proposals."

Councillor Caroline Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) added: “I am pleased the officers have taken note of local concerns and it’s good to see that the reasons for turning it down cited both highways issues and the need for the whole area to be planned out properly, as the need for proper infrastructure is paramount.”

The application - reference number 17/02068/OT - can be viewed at leeds.gov.uk/publicaccess or at Otley Library.

Comments can be made on the website, by sending an e-mail to planning@leeds.gov.uk , or by writing to: Planning Services, The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds LS2 8HD.