Clash over ‘retirement village’ project marked for green belt

Outline plans for an ecologically friendly “retirement community” on land north of the Ponderosa Park complex at Heckmondwike will be decided by councillors today.

Planning officers are recommending that the plans are given the go ahead but they will have to be examined by a Government minister because the land is within the green belt.

The proposal is for 150 one- and two-bedroom retirement units with a central resource building and a 40-bed nursing home.

“The central resource building will assist in providing for the needs of residents and may include facilities such as a shop, hairdressers, restaurant, surgery facilities, gym, library and IT facilities,” according to a Kirklees Council planning report.

The development has been described as an “eco-complex” which will feature solar thermal panels, ground source heat pumps and other low-energy technologies.

The site forms part of the existing Ponderosa Park complex which has seen recent developments such as business units, a conference centre, gym, restaurant and a bar.

The plans have attracted almost 300 letters of objection, with just 13 in support.

Local councillors also have their doubts about the plans.

Councillor Viv Kendrick said: “Whilst this application makes a range of points in support of the development such as stating the need for residential care beds, the promise of developing a cycleway, etc, this application is for development on a green belt site and I do not feel that the points made in any way make this a special case.”

She is not convinced that there is a shortage of single rooms with en suite facilities within Kirklees care and residential homes.

She added: “While one might welcome a development that would provide additional jobs in the local area, balanced against the permanent loss of a Green Belt site and the fact that there are brown field sites in the area that could be developed, I do not believe it would be in the best interests of this area for this application to be approved.”

Objectors say the plans should be rejected because the land is within the green belt and special reasons have to be shown for approval to be granted.

One protester claimed it would be a “blot on the landscape”.

Supporters of the plans say the retirement village would create jobs and “do wonders for Heckmondwike” as well as be a “focal point for eco-projects throughout Europe”.

The applicants, H & M Cook, set out their arguments why the plans constitute “very special circumstances” which must be shown for green belt developments.

They said the expansion of the Ponderosa concept is an important element of the regeneration of the area.

The applicants said the financial implications of a development on the scale provided would provide much needed money for the continued development of Ponderosa.

The Park, which opened as a rare breeds farm in 1992, attracts over 200,000 visitors a year.

Planning chiefs say the case for and against the scheme is finely balanced.

Their report concludes: “Taking into consideration the merits of the scheme, including the regeneration benefits that will arise, together with the presumption against development in the green belt and the development of a green field site, officers consider that the case is finely balanced.

“It is concluded that the balance falls in favour of the proposal and hence the recommendation is a positive one.”

Members of the heavy woollen planning committee will discuss the plans at a meeting today at Dewsbury Town Hall, from 10.30am.

If they approve the scheme, it will then be referred to the Secretary of State for consideration.