Shelf village in spotlight: McDonald’s and big homes plans to be decided
Two major plans which will impact the village of Shelf will be decided by planning councillors when they meet on Tuesday July 7.
The applications – for a McDonald’s “drive-thru” restaurant on land next to the Sun Wood Service Station at Halifax Road, and Persimmon Homes’ plan to build 98 homes on land near Soaper Lane – have been controversial.
Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee will discuss both when they meet at Halifax Town Hall from 3pm on Tuesday, July 7.
Planning officers are recommending that both applications should be approved.
They are recommending councillors be mindful to permit McDonald’s Restaurant Ltd’s application for the 48-parking bay “drive thru” subject to completion of part of a legal agreement.
This would secure a “commuted” contribution of £65,000 from McDonald’s to ensure the development complies with relevant policies in Calderdale’s Local Plan.
Opinion on the application is split – 153 Letters of objection have been received, 136 letters of support and one neutral representation.
Objections include from both Calderdale and Bradford Public Health officers concerned about obesity rates – an issue also raised by former Green ward councillor Elaine Hey – while others say the restaurant is not needed.
Supporters argue it would be positive for Shelf, including bringing some jobs and improving choice in an area they argue has limited opportunities where people can stop for food, despite being on a main route into Bradford.
Planning officers’ recommendation to councillors over Persimmon’s application for Soaper Lane is that they should be mindful to permit the application subject to a section of a legal agreement being completed.
This includes a sum of £173,000 being held by the council until five years after the last home is occupied to allow for future assessment and safety measures which might have to be implemented at Burned Road, should evidence show intervention is required.
Objectors to the plan raise a number of highways concerns, including worsening congestion and extra pollution, the safety of a single entrance to the site and the impact on Burned Road, which they describe as very narrow with passing issues.
The agreement would also ensure 30 of the homes were “affordable” – 18 for affordable rent and 12 for shared ownership -and £25,000 invested to improve the footpath on the northern edge of the site.
Objectors to the plans are also concerned about impact on local services including schools and GPs, loss of green space and impact on wildlife, overlooking, and flood risk – officers say their report addresses these concerns.