MAJOR plans to develop a former water treatment plant on the outskirts of Bradford have been amended and a key Council committee is being asked for its position on the new scheme.

KeyLand Developments submitted outline plans to Kirklees Council in 2016 for a business park and 101 homes at the redundant North Bierley waste water treatment works in Oakenshaw.

But following consultation with the authority, the property trading arm of Kelda Group has submitted altered plans, removing any residential element from the scheme and reducing the amount of greenfield land it wants to develop.

In a report to the authority’s strategic planning committee, officers outline how the earlier scheme has been revised omitting the homes that were previously proposed on the greenfield part of the site to the north west.

“The proposals were accompanied with a viability appraisal which stated that the proposed employment uses of the site can only be viably developed if the local planning authority allows enabling development in the form of 101 residential units.”

Environmental concerns for the future residents of the homes so near to the motorways and a business park have been a factor in the plans being revised.

The report adds that “it is accepted that enabling development would be required for the redevelopment of the brownfield part of the site”.

“Officers are of the opinion the revised proposals, which shows a reduced area of greenfield land to be developed on would be commensurate with that required to enable the development of the brownfield part of the site and would retain an adequate level of separation distance between Oakenshaw and circumvent coalescing with this neighbouring town.”

The current plans are for 35,284 sq m of business units and landscape buffer at the southern end of the site, leaving land for a future motorway link road.

A total of 91 people objected to the initial business park and housing scheme when it was first submitted last year.

With the amended plans, there have been seven representations, one in support and six against.

The concerns include fears over a substantial increase in commercial vehicles and traffic in Cliff Hollins Lane, as well as noise and light pollution to nearby existing homes.

Bradford Councillor Sarah Ferriby (Lab, Wyke) has also raised concerns over the amended scheme, including access roads and junctions which “are unsuitable for high volumes of HGV, light goods vehicles and additional cars”.

The meeting takes place on Thursday, November 30.