Calderdale Council has refused nine new homes in Lightcliffe after backlash from villagers over Green Belt concerns.

The plan to build on horse grazing land to the east of Till Carr Lane received 105 objections in writing and drew several residents to last month’s Hipperholme and Lightcliffe ward meeting.

The application from developer Mr M. Gill said the Green Belt site should be treated as Grey Belt land, under the Labour government’s 2024 national planning policy changes.

But minutes from the ward meeting on September 21 show Lightcliffe residents were vocally opposed, particularly due to the proposed development’s proximity to the Tower to Old Church of St Matthew and the 18th Century Sun Inn.

Horse grazing land to the east of Till Carr Lane where the development was proposed (Google)

placeholder image — Horse grazing land to the east of Till Carr Lane where the development was proposed (Google)

Residents, who also disagreed with the ‘Grey Belt’ designation, were advised by Reform councillors Stephen Mycroft and Tim Holden to make considered objections and send relevant photos.

Mark Pullen, an independent campaigner who intends to stand in next year’s local elections, told the LDRS the meeting was so well attended ‘due to strong feelings’ it was delayed while a larger room was arranged.

On the rejection decision, Mr Pullen said: “Local residents understand the need for additional housing in the communities of the Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Ward but the priority is to ensure sites reflect the sensitive surroundings.

“Utilising empty properties and brownfield sites should always be the priority. The recent refusal in Lightcliffe reflects the outpouring of local concerns regarding the encroachment into our green spaces and also the traffic concerns with limited access.”

A Planning Statement submitted in August argued the land by Till Carr Lane was Grey Belt because it is ‘considered to make a weak to no contribution’ to Green Belt purposes; those being, checking unrestricted sprawl, preventing towns merging, and preserving the town’s special character.

The application also claimed the development would help Calderdale meet its housing target – set at 14,950 new homes between 2018/19 and 2032/33 in the 2023 Local Plan.

Calderdale Labour’s Local Plan released some Green Belt land to meet housing targets, but after Reform’s victory at May’s election Leader of the Council Dan Sutherland (Reform, Illingworth and Mixenden) said previous decisions could be reviewed.

A report by the planning officer who made the decision concluded ‘the associated benefits [to the housing supply] do not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt’.

The decision on Lightcliffe comes after outcry from residents in the village of Bradshaw over a similarly sized ‘Grey Belt’ proposal that was voted through by two opposition councillors, with four members of Reform on the Planning Committee abstaining.

Bradshaw villagers who voted for Reform after being reassured by pledges on Green Belt development accused the councillors of failing to stand up for them.

Richard Seaman, Calderdale Council’s Corporate Lead for Planning, said: “This was a delegated planning decision taken by a senior planning officer, rather than by councillors through Planning Committee. The application was carefully assessed in line with national and local planning policy, and it was concluded that permission should be refused.

“The refusal was because the development would be inappropriate in the Green Belt and would lead to the loss of open countryside.

“The report setting out the reasons for the decision, along with all planning decision documents, is published on the Council’s website.”

The applicant’s planning agent was also approached for comment.