Welcome for planning appeal over Church Fields' future
A PLANNING appeal over the future of the Church Fields site is set to be held.
And the news has been met with enthusiasm from villagers who have objected to two development applications for the site in the last year.
Boston Spa Parish Council hopes the decision to hold the appeal in the village hall will mean large numbers of residents will be able to attend the eight-day inquiry.
Coun Vicky Thomas, who has fought several times to prevent Church Fields being developed, said: “I’m very pleased that the appeal is being heard in the village hall.
“Obviously, not everybody can stand up and speak, but it will show the strength of feeling there is against the development of that site.
“Had it been held in the Civic Hall in Leeds, it would have been very difficult for people to get there, allowing for work and other commitments they have.
“I’m hopeful we will be able to fill the hall every day of that inquiry,” she added.
Due to begin on March 18, it will see the planning inspectorate consider appeals against the rejection of two major planning applications for the site.
Although Leeds City Council had pressed for the appeals to be heard separately to give it more time to prepare for the second - only announced last month - developer Taylor Wimpey successfully requested the two be dealt with together in March because they cover similar points.
Its grounds for appeal on both the first and second applications - which were for 170 homes and 153 homes respectively - centre on Leeds City Council’s land release policy.
The council has stated its preference is for previously developed sites to be released before greenfield land, but Taylor Wimpey will argue Leeds City Council does not have enough green field readily available to meet the Government’s quota for the number of homes to be built each year.
Boston Spa Parish Council said it would be delivering a leaflet to every home in the village to inform residents of what they can do to help fight the development.
It is seeking volunteers to deliver them and the council is also keen to hear from anyone who has expertise in legal, planning or conservation matters who might be able to offer it advice. For more information, visit www.bostonspapc.org.uk.
Although comments on the first appeal have now closed, anyone wishing to comment on the second appeal can do so until March 10 by visiting www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/planning/appeals.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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