Permission granted for housing plan in Molescroft
A CONTROVERSIAL application to build 141 homes on land in Molescroft has been granted permission following an appeal- despite originally being refused by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
On Monday March 11 a government planning inspector allowed the appeal which will see applicant Linden Homes build on land at Woodhall Way, Molescroft.
However one Beverley resident has voiced his anger at the decision and claims the development will worsen flooding in Beverley and Molescroft.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I do not think the flooding concerns of the community have been taken into consideration. The flooding situation will get worse.
“It makes me feel really angry because I am in the path of the floods like everyone else. There is nothing we can do because the Government take the decision and that is it.”
The application, originally made in December 2011, was refused permission by East Riding Council in July 2012 - however the appeal inquiry was launched just months later.
At the time of refusal a council spokesperson said: “The application is premature in terms of the Local Development Framework, the layout of the proposed development is poor and is considered to be out of character with the area by virtue of its density and lack of respect to the local character, concerns about highway access and subsequent safety and the lack of adequate affordable housing provision within and its distribution across the development.”
However in the appeal report, planning inspector K A Ellison, said surface water would be managed at the site and has been considered in a flood risk assessment which accompanied the proposal.
She said: “The dwellings would be located on the higher ground to the west, with the landscaping and attenuation basin being placed on the lower-lying area.”
It was also acknowledged the site lies in a flood zone 1 - which represents a low level flood risk.
Beverley mayor Margaret Pinder also voiced concern over the impact the housing might have on Beverley, and said: “Any people that move there will be using the infrastructure of Beverley - I think it is starting to push the boundaries of Beverley. Beverley has just been named on the Sunday Times best places to live in Yorkshire and the North East and I think it might not stay on there because it might lose its particular character.”
At the time of going to press no comment was available from Molescroft Parish Council.
Andrew Byrne, Linden Homes’ Strategic Land & Planning Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able, finally, to progress this scheme. We were always confident of the outcome but this week’s decision means that we can now get on with delivering this sustainable development, providing much needed new homes for Beverley.
“As well as 109 open-market houses, we are responding directly to specific local need by providing 32 affordable properties that include four bungalows for older people and six assisted living homes for those with learning difficulties.
“Our decision to appeal was the right one. We always knew that our scheme complied fully with local policy, which is why officers backed it.
“All the benefits including the new homes, affordable properties, construction jobs, apprenticeships on site, financial contributions can now start to be enjoyed by the local community.
“Our current scheme at Flemingate has been a huge success, with 95% of purchasers coming from within a five-mile radius. We are confident of continuing to meet local need at Woodhall Way.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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