“EXCEPTIONAL” designs for a circular house in the greenbelt are being tipped for refusal as planners disagree over the harm it could cause to the countryside.

Councillors sitting on a key planning committee are due to decide on Tuesday, March 20, whether Richard Oakes’ scheme for land at Whitehall Road, in Hipperholme, can go ahead.

Mr Oakes has already applied twice for similar approval, believing the innovative design of the house would be enough to overcome the “very special circumstances” rule for building in the greenbelt.

Both applications were withdrawn.

This time local councillor George Robinson has requested the scheme be put to a vote at Calderdale Council’s planning committee, as planners are recommending it be refused.

“It’s of my opinion that members should have the ability to express a view on the innovative design of the planned property,” he said.

In a report accompanying the application, architects ONE17 describe how at earlier meetings it was suggested by council officers that a third-party endorsement of the quality of the design would be helpful, and Integreat Plus design review service was used.

A third review proved positive: “The overall design quality of the proposed scheme is exceptional and the panel congratulate the design team for progressing the design to such a high standard.”

But while Calderdale planners do not dispute the design standard, they do not believe this outweighs the impact on the openness of the countryside.

The latest report states: “The Local Planning Authority does not dispute that the design of the dwelling is of a high standard, however the location of the proposal would not enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and it is not considered to be within a settlement or village.”

In addition planners have highways concerns: “The proposal is not located in a sustainable location and future residents would be reliant on a private car for their day-to-day needs.

“Furthermore the proposed access is substandard and is also considered to be unsafe.”

MORE TOP STORIES

The report concludes: “The Local Planning Authority considers that no very special circumstances have been provided that clearly outweigh the harm that would be created to the loss of the openness of the greenbelt, the encroachment into the open countryside and the highway safety concerns and unsustainable location of the proposal which are considered to result in other harm.”

The site has previously been used as a refuse tip, a stone yard, and a sewage works.