The Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and Highways) will present a report (Document “R”) which explains a full application for the construction of 61 affordable houses with associated car parking and access at Long Lee Lane, Long Lee, Keighley – 19/02851/MAF.

The Committee is reminded that an outline planning permission for up to 58 open market houses was approved in 2016.

Recommended –

That the application be approved for the reasons and subject to the conditions outlined in appendix 1 to Document “R” and a Section 106 Agreement to cover maintenance of a highway drain and public footpath improvements.

(John Eyles- 01274 434380)  

The Assistant Director Planning, Transportation and Highways presented a report (Document “R”) which explained a full application for the construction of 61 affordable houses with associated car parking and access at Long Lee Lane, Long Lee, Keighley – 19/02851/MAF.

The Committee was reminded that an outline planning permission for up to 58 open market houses was approved in 2016.

The Assistant Director provided an overview of the proposed development, showing photographs of the site, plans and drawings and summarising the representations that had been received.  He also reported on two additional objections that had been received citing traffic/highway and overlooking concerns.

A representative from Airedale NHS Trust was present at the meeting and stated that the proposed development would have an impact on NHS provision in the area as it would lead to an increase in the number of patients using the existing hospital provision, and she urged that the developer makes an appropriate contribution to offset the additional demand.

A Keighley Town Councillor was also present at the meeting and stated that this was the latest in a long line of other developments in the vicinity and its impact would be felt in the area.  In particular it was stated that Long Lee Lane was a narrow road and already suffered from congestion.  In addition the infrastructure in the area such as the hospital, GP surgery and schools would struggle to cope with the additional demand.  The Town Councillor urged Members to refuse the application and suggested that there were more suitable brownfield sites in Keighley that a development of this nature would be a more sustainable location for.

In response to the issues raised by the representative from the NHS, the Assistant Director explained that in terms of imposing a Section 106 contribution for health, a number of tests have to be applied and the additional strain on the hospital as a result of this development could not be justified in order to impose a contribution on the developer.  It was further stressed that any additional demand for NHS provision as a result of the development would have to be factored in by the NHS into the long term health care planning for the area.

In respect of a question regarding the highway implications on the Coney Lane bridge, the Highways Engineer stated that this proposal would not adversely impact on the existing network including the Coney Lane bridge, however future schemes may have an impact.

The agent for the applicant stated that the proposed layout was intended to improve access for residents and that the site was already an identified housing site, which would create 100% affordable housing units, which would be visually acceptable with landscaping.

During the discussion Members, expressed their support for the application, stating that the 100% affordable units would significantly boost the number of affordable units in the area .

A Member expressed concerns about the impact the development would have on the Coney Lane bridge as there was already congestion in the vicinity of the bridge, and as such he would not be supporting the proposal.

In relation to a question on drainage, it was pointed out that details of a drainage scheme were still to be submitted and approved.

Resolved –

(1)       That the application be approved for the reasons and subject to            the conditions outlined in appendix 1 to Document “R”(subject to             the deletion of Conditions 7,8 and 9) and also subject to a Section 106 Agreement to cover maintenance of a highway drain and     public footpath improvements.

(2)       The Committee resolved to record concern over any potential    further housing development that may increase travelling to and     from Keighley at the Coney Lane bridge and such development             may require careful consideration and potentially improvements             may be required.

ACTION:       The Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and                                Highways)