Building firms win appeal for 400-home scheme off the A64

Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey have won their planning appeal to secure planning permission for 400 new homes on the north west side of the A64 York Road.

Leeds City Council initially refused permission for the scheme at Grimes Dyke, York Road, in Whinmoor, in December 2009.

Now Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has overturned the decision following a lengthy planning inquiry, which sat in spring 2010 and January of this year.

Council chiefs say they are “disappointed” by the move and will consider the implications in coming weeks.

Robert Moore, planning director at law firm Walker Morris which represented Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey, said: “We are delighted for our clients.

“This decision follows a catalogue of wins for the team, in the face of the council’s steadfast refusal to grant planning permission on sites that have already been allocated for residential development.

“The inspector and Secretary of State reached the conclusion that the proposal in no way conflicts with any of the policies in the development plan as cited in the council’s reasons for refusal.

“The council are under an obligation to identify a minimum five year supply of housing and yet the analysis only supports just over half that at best.

“By allowing our clients’ development, much needed market and affordable housing can now be brought forward, together with a wide range of community benefits.”

At the conclusion of the second part of the inquiry, the inspector recommended that the appeal be allowed and that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

The communities secretary agreed and the decision was published recently.

Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey were also awarded part of their costs for running the appeal.

Mr Pickles granted outline planning permission to lay out, access and erect between 370 and 400 dwellings, with ancillary retail and community facilities.

Leeds City Council is now considering the implications of the decision.

A spokeswoman said: “We are disappointed by the outcome of the planning decision for Grimes Dyke.

“The council will be considering the implications this decision, and other decisions have on council policy at executive board next month.”

According to the Updated Masterplan and Design and Access Statement Supplement for Grimes Dyke in February 2010, the development will provide up to 400 new homes.

It says: “It will aim to improve the overall quality of housing and reduce the disparity in housing markets in Leeds through the provision of a range of family housing.

“A mix of housetypes will be provided, and the scheme will aim to deliver a mix of tenure and accommodation which reflects the needs of the local community.

“It will have emphasis on the creation of three to four-bed family housing which will be attractive to families, skilled and professional workers and aspirational households.”

According to the document 30 per cent of the units will be classed as “affordable”.

“Affordable housing will be constructed within each of the proposed phases of the development, in a style consistent with other dwelling houses within the development and of a size commensurate with local need,” it says.

The document also claims that the development will “improve local residents’ access to facilities through the provision of an ancillary on-site retail unit and community space.”

A small shop or shops will be provided towards the centre of the site.