Decision in on Priory Wood / Town End further compromised.

I went to the planning committee meeting last Thursday morning the 6th of February which was held in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Wood Street in Wakefield for the planning application to build 24 houses on Priory Wood to the rear of houses on Mill Hill and Wakefield Road. There were a number of objections that had been lodged and I put forward a case to reject the application based on access and asked that the decision be deferred so that they could look at the impact and or alternative access.

The planning committee reached their decision in a little short of 40 minutes. They discounted the objections and approved access to Priory Wood allowing a new junction on Wakefield Road about 60 yards from the new junction improvement works at Town End. In doing so they left AirQuality and the new junction improvements compromised before they begin. There was a brief discussion about alternative access but that was effectively rejected based on planning officer advice. All too typical it would seem and another example of the Wakefield - Pontefract relationship. Here we have another local decision made by people who do not know our issues and difficulties.

Whilst there is an outline permission now in place and specific proposals and detailed plans would have to go again to the Planning Department before work can commence it is only at that stage that we will see what is intended and I will do all that I can to ensure that existing residents views are factored in to any subsequent development.

So we are left with a need to see that anything that comes forward under the permission is done properly, with as little negative impact as possible.

In fact it needs to be the very best it can be.

Watch this space.