Long-running planning row ends in win for developer

Leeds and London Properties, formerly Simor Limited, have now been granted planning permission for 21 houses comprising two and three bedroom terraced properties with associated car parking arranged around courtyards by the Rochdale Canal at Hollins Road, Walsden, Todmorden.

The initial scheme was approved in 1992 but when it came up for renewal in July 1997, councillors insisted there should be a legal agreement insisting upon the creation of at least six low cost homes.

An appeal inquiry was held in 2008 but that decision was later quashed by the High Court.

A further appeal has now been approved by planning inspector Karen Barker allowing the scheme to go ahead but with six affordable homes.

The main issue was whether the proposal by Leeds and London Properties would conflict with local and national planning policies designed to give priority to the use of land that had been previously developed.

“Although the site is greenfield, its development would not undermine the long term managed release of residential land,” said the inspector.

She added that the second reason for refusal related to the council’s concerns over land slippage.

However, Ms Barker said the council had withdrawn this second reason for refusal as “ground stability reports indicate that land stability concerns could be addressed by the imposition of appropriate planning conditions on any approval.”

Councillor Ian Cooper, Calderdale councillor for Todmorden who until recently was a member of the authority’s planning committee, said: “I am pleased that finally a conclusion has been reached which appears on the face of it to be a sensible compromise and doesn’t jeopardise any other policies particularly our green belt policies.”

A council spokesman said: “The council has received notification of the decision of the planning inspector and notes the outcome. We will give careful consideration to the inspector’s findings.”

How much the saga has cost Calderdale residents has yet to be revealed.