THE EAST of Otley Action Group has released guidance to help people respond to a major planning application, including hundreds of homes, which they say will have a huge impact on the town.

The Group is also urging residents to object to the ‘unacceptable’ removal of an ancient ash tree, which has been assessed in the planning application’s own Environmental Impact Assessment as ‘irreplaceable.’ The group says under current plans the tree will be felled to make way for the relief road.

It says the hybrid poplar trees on land adjacent to Lisker Drive are also again under threat of removal after a brief stay of execution.

“From August and the end of the nesting season, these valuable trees come under threat again”, said a spokesperson.

“When their removal is considered alongside the ancient ash, and other mature trees and hedgerows around the site, it will be an absolutely huge loss – to wildlife, and to the community.”

The planning application has identified two irreplaceable trees, but an expert working with East of Otley Action believes that without a more detailed survey there may be many other trees, hedgerows and shrubs which have not even been surveyed or counted.

“The developers also plan to chop down the lovely avenue of trees along Ings Lane, next to the playing field, which has oaks, willows, hybrid black poplars and chestnuts. This avenue is loved by local children and its visual amenity cannot be underestimated,” continued the spokesperson.

The Group, which is made up of volunteers and experts, has specified a number of key points for objection.

It says the relief road is unlikely to have any noticeable impact on traffic coming into town and will actually result in even more car journeys, as well as destroying ancient woodland and hedgerows.

It argues that the application has a "get out clause" of financial viability when it comes to providing 35 per cent affordable housing.

It says the development will be "significantly detrimental" to the people of Otley - with an increase in traffic, pressure on medical facilities and high school places, plus massive disruption during the road and house building phase.

The group says the planning application states that there will be a biodiversity loss of between 47 per cent and 57 per cent on the site, and no commitment to replace it.

The group claims that the houses being proposed will conform to the lowest possible building standards.

It adds: "The aspiration of Otley to be a carbon zero town by 2030 is being mocked by these developers. Our local green energy expert has calculated that each of these new houses could emit around 2 tonnes of carbon a year. Data from Persimmon accounts show that they make an average of £67,154 profit on every house they build. It would cost them an extra £5,000 make each new house carbon neutral, (and save the new owners from huge fuel bills). To retrofit a new house to make it carbon neutral after it has been built will cost the new owners £26,000. Otley deserves better, and so does the planet."

The planning application reference number is 21/01671/OT. Anyone who does not have access to the internet can see a printed copy of the application at The Core.

Responses can be sent to Planning Services, Leeds City Council, Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB. Anyone responding should include their full name, address, and the reference number of the application. The final date for objections is July 16. Find more info and guidance on the East of Otley Action Group website: www.eastofotleyaction.co.uk

The group is also asking people to sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/leeds-city-council-stop-persimmon-concreting-over-the-east-of-otley or donate to its fundraiser: https://gofund.me/7ec59583.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “This major development in the East Otley area is a joint application with Leeds City Council. We believe that all concerns will be carefully considered during the planning process.

“We hope to provide a collection of much-needed homes that will meet a range of budgets as well as significant community investment and facilities.”