CONTROVERSIAL plans for 47 homes on land in Cleckheaton look set to be approved later this week.

Redrow Homes has been pursuing housing plans for the land off Ashbourne Drive for a number of years, having gained outline approval after a public inquiry in 2013.

All matters other than partial means of access to the site, which is 2.4 hectares and currently used as grazing land, are to be determined in the latest application.

Local councillor Kath Pinnock asked that the matter be determined by a panel “on the grounds of the strength of the comments made by statutory consultees and continuing concerns from local residents”.

Concerns from Councillor Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) and residents centre on a nearby farm track which crosses the site, providing access to Lower Blacup Farm and is also a public footpath.

She states in her objections: “There will be conflict between farm traffic and residential traffic and pedestrians where the estate road crosses the farm track.

“The plans should be amended to prevent access over the farm track or make the crossing point single track with road safety measures to reduce traffic speed.”

But highways officers say – given that users of the track will have to give way to vehicles on the residential road where the two cross – speeds will be low.

Despite recommending its approval, officers have some concerns about the space between the proposed homes, but state the harm is not considered significant. Redrow had been asked to amended the layout, but declined.

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Planners originally had concerns over the 54 homes that were applied for in 2012, with issues such as the proximity to a listed building and a working farm, as well as that the land was designated as provisional open land in the unitary development plan.

But the planning inspector disagreed and gave approval following a public inquiry, although a condition that nine homes will be provided as affordable housing was attached.

A subsequent application by Redrow to remove that condition is still undetermined, and Council planners believe five units are viable on the site.

A decision on the reserved matters is to be made by members of Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee on Thursday.