Neighbour set to add voice to clamour against travellers’ site

FEARS have been raised that allowing a permanent travellers’ site to be created on land near the border of Wakefield and Leeds will further erode green-belt boundaries.

Some councillors are objecting to a plan to allow 10 residential caravan pitches to be built, saying that the site is in the green belt and should only be developed in exceptional circumstances.

Wakefield Council has asked Leeds City Council for its views on the propose for Castle Gate, Sandal, Wakefield, land currently used for grazing near the M62, as the site is near the boundary with neighbouring Leeds.

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A report to be considered by members of the city council’s plans panel east recommends that Leeds objects to the application.

It says: “The applicant has submitted that the unmet needs for sites in Wakefield and the previously developed nature of land and proximity to settlements are considerations that constitute very special circumstances. The applicant argues that substantial weight should therefore be given to these considerations in determining whether the harm to green belt is outweighed.”

However, the report adds: “Whilst it is accepted that there is an ‘unmet need’ for alternative traveller sites, no evidence has been submitted that justifies setting aside the presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt at this location.

“Although in this location, on the south side of the M62 motorway, it would be difficult to substantiate a visual intrusion argument as it relates to Leeds district, the development is still inappropriate, and the openness would be impacted upon by the hardstanding, vehicles, buildings and domestic paraphernalia. Crucially, no reason is given as to why other suitable sites which are not in green belt could not be utilised for this purpose.”

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Earlier this month, a public meeting was held at Carlton, attended by about 200 residents, concerned about the application.

Their voiced concerns that included the fact local schools are full and do not have any spare places and that there are no exceptional circumstances to permit development on the green belt.

Local residents are also fear traffic fumes from the motorway will harm air quality for those living there.

Local councillors have also written to Leeds City Council’s plans panel east, which meets on Thursday, to object.

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Councillor Lisa Mulherin (Lab, Ardsley & Robin Hood) has written to the committee saying: “This is not the first inappropriate application on the green belt between Leeds and Wakefield that I have objected to and I am increasingly concerned about the erosion of the green belt between the two districts.”

She says that there worries in the community about the green belt effectively being built over and the site being operated as a business. She understands that the application put forward by Mr T Spaven, would see plots on the site rented out as a residential landlord would do.

But she says a landlord would not be given permission to build a block of flats on the green belt.

In addition, Coun Karen Renshaw (Lab, Ardsley & Robin Hood) fears the site’s location will have an impact on local roads and claims there has been a lack of consultation with local people.

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Councillors will however be told that there is evidence of an unmet need for traveller sites.

In 2009 there was an estimated shortfall of 86 traveller pitches in West Yorkshire.

But the report concludes: “That objections be raised on the grounds that the proposal would be contrary to green-belt policy and no compelling case has been made to justify the setting aside of this policy.

“Concerns be raised in respect of residential amenity due to siting very close to the M62 motorway, due to likely excessive noise intrusion and poor air quality.”

The application will be further considered by members of Wakefield Council at a later date.