Objectors say planned houses are too large for site of former gas works and will increase traffic problems

PLANS to build homes in a conservation area are being recommended for approval in spite of concerns about the impact on a historic village in West Yorkshire.

Councillors will consider an application to build eight homes at Village Farm, Harrogate Road, Harewood, near Leeds, with four of the plots looking out towards parkland owned by the Harewood Estate.

A report to members of Leeds City Council’s plans panel east recommends councillors give the proposals their backing when they meet tomorrow.

But the application by KW Linfoot (Holdings) Ltd has attracted a number of objections from people concerned about the impact on the character of the village, which has many listed buildings.

The developers want to clear the site and build five detached homes and three terraced houses.

During the 19th century it is thought the site was used for agriculture. In 1892 part of it was developed as a private gas works for Harewood House. When the gas works fell into disrepair, it reverted back to agriculture and has remained vacant since 1984.

Objectors fear that the development would result in the loss of the identity of the village, they say there is no need for the development and that the village already has enough people.

They say the planned properties are too large, are concerned about whether there is suitable access and fear it will result in increased traffic congestion.

West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service has recommended that an evaluation of the site is carried out as there is the potential for the proposals to either disturb or destroy any remains.

Harewood Parish Council says it supports the idea of the project but raises concerns about access to some of the properties and is worried about increased traffic along Malt Kiln Lane.

It is proposed five of the homes would be built on land largely occupied by the former farm buildings. The three remaining buildings would be closer to existing residential properties towards the southern half of the site.

A planners’ report to councillors says the site is an important one within the village which had already been allocated for residential use.

It adds: “The proposal involves the development of an allocated greenfield site in advance of brownfield sites and would normally be resisted.

“However, in light of the planning history of the site (that there was an extant permission at the time of the submission of this application) and the benefits that arise from the development including enhancements to the conservation area, the benefits secured through the planning obligation and the scale of the development it is considered that there are sound planning reasons to justify the grant of planning permission.”

The report says each of the buildings would be constructed from natural stone and slate and be 2.5 storeys high.

It adds: “All of the proposed five detached houses would be relatively large and have been designed to reflect the architectural scale and language of the existing properties located within The Avenue.”

Planning permission was previously granted for 10 houses on the site in 2005.

Officers say the design and number of homes is suitable for the area and are recommending councillors back the plans and instruct planners to agree final approval subject to conditions including the transfer of a freehold of a building for educational use and the creation of a green space by the developer.

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