Green-belt homes plan is turned down (From Wharfedale Observer)

Green-belt homes plan is turned down

9:00am Friday 7th September 2012 in Local news

Plans to build 34 new homes on green-belt land in Horsforth have been thrown out.

Developers Redrow had applied earlier this year for permission to build the homes on land at Outwood Lane.

But their application has been turned down by Leeds City Council amid concerns it would have a detrimental impact on the area.

The defeat for Redrow comes more than a decade after local residents fought off a different scheme to build 57 homes on the site.

More than 200 letters of objection were sent to the council about the Redrow application.

The scheme was also opposed by Horsforth Civic Society, Cragg Hill and Woodside Residents Group and Newlay Conservation Society.

A report from the council’s planning officers highlighted safety issues with access to the site. The detrimental impact on a conservation area was also cited as a reason for refusal.

The council acknow-ledged plans would help its housing land supply, but it was felt this would not outweigh the negative effects of building on the green belt linked to the conservation area.

Council officers said the proposals would be harmful to the Horsforth Cragg Hill and Woodside Conservation Area through the loss of a key green site. The decision has been welcomed by local campaigners.