Inspector rejects plans for retirement village

The Sunny Vale Residents’ Association along with other objectors have fought against the proposals to develop the old Allen Works site on Badger Lane in Hipperholme.

The scheme, overseen by Martin Walsh Associates on behalf of Blackshaw Holdings Ltd, was to build a continuing care retirement community.

However, Calderdale planning officers refused the plans because they did not meet the requirements for building on green belt land, and the Sunny Vale Residents’ Association was unhappy with the scale of the complex on what was once a former brickyard and a beauty spot.

Residents were also concerned about the pressure on local roads in the corridor between Halifax and Hipperholme.

However the developers in their submission said that the scheme would in part meet demand for services and accommodation for the elderly.

In addition, it would remove existing industrial buildings from the site and improve its appearance, while new jobs would be introduced to the area. Calderdale claimed in its evidence that there is an “oversupply” of care home capacity.

Building on green belt requires the appellant to show special reasons for granting permission, but a planning inspector has dismissed the appeal saying: “I find that the harm by reason of inappropriateness has not been shown to be outweighed by other considerations.

“The circumstances are not very special and so the development should not be approved.”

He added that, although “the use of previously developed land is clearly less harmful than the use of greenfield land, but the absence of harm is not a benefit.

“I have considered all other matters raised in support of the scheme, and nothing among these matters leads me to change my decision that the appeal should be dismissed.”