FURIOUS residents who lodged scores of objections after plans to build almost 200 houses on a ‘wildlife haven’ broke cover have lost their battle - after a councillors’ vote went down to a dramatic tiebreaker.
The plan to build 179 dwellings off Smithywood Lane and Calver Close in Gilroyd faced opposition at Tuesday’s meeting but was approved when chair of the planning board, Coun Ken Richardson, made the final call after seven councillors voted for and eight voted against.
Coun Chris Wray raised multiple issues with the plan, particularly concerns about the local wildlife and effects on traffic levels across Dodworth.
Despite voting against the plan, he did admit that if the council were willing to address the issues he would be happy to see development move forward.
He told the Chronicle: “My main concern in the past has been access.
“I still don’t think the access plans are perfect, but they put forward some good points.
“If the council’s got justified and good proposals I’m happy to accept them.”
Coun Dave Leech of the St Helen’s ward, also aired his issues, explaining that if he could ‘borrow a HGV’ he’d show everyone why the plans won’t work.
“Using HGVs around there is going to be hell - that’s definitely a no-no,” he added.
“I can’t see any way they are going to be able to get down there.
“I can borrow a HGV and show you how it won’t be possible.
“That area is all made up of little roads - you can’t come down from Gilroyd or Dodworth if you want to bring them off the motorway.”
The plan consists of two parcels of land split by Smithywood Lane - the western parcel will house 38 dwellings, 14 of which will be ‘affordable’, while the eastern would hold the remaining 141 properties.
This will consist of 30 pairs of semi-detached houses, eight blocks of three terraced houses, two blocks of four terraced properties and 49 detached dwellings.
Forty of those will be classed as affordable housing.
Residents blasted the decision after they had sent in more than 30 objections in the weeks prior to the meeting.
Karon Knowles, who’s lived in the area her whole life, said the plans were ‘disgusting’.
“I don’t think the field is safe,” she added.
“I’ve lived in my property for 24 years and lived in Gilroyd all my life.
“When I was a kid I played on that field - I’ve seen how it’s moved and dipped.
“When some workers came out to do drilling investigations my garden wall cracked - if they end up doing more work I’ll wake up one day and my wall will have collapsed.
“It’s all small roads around here and they expect to put 170 more cars on them.
“We haven’t got the infrastructure to handle it - doctor surgeries, schools and chemists just can’t handle it.
“The wildlife there over the last three years has become abundant.
“People have captured footage of barn owls, snakes and hares, all of which are declining elsewhere.”
