DELIGHTED protesters are celebrating victory after controversial plans to build 124 new homes on greenfield land in Keighley were rejected by Bradford Council.
A Persimmon Homes application for the 4.7 hectare site south of Occupation Lane was unanimously thrown out by the council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee yesterday.
Protesters blasted the plans, fearing traffic problems on surrounding roads from the expected increase in cars, forecast at 250.
Residents also feared Occupation Lane itself, a public bridleway, would be used as a “rat run” by motorists looking for alternative access when near-by Wheathead Lane/Keighley Road are congested.
The application was refused by the committee due to two main concerns.
The first was unjustified access to the junction of Wheathead Lane and Oakworth Road and no proposals for any mitigating measures such as traffic lights.
The second concern was over the application encouraging unlawful vehicle use of Occupation Lane, with not effective enough deterrents to drivers planned.
The application was slightly amended before yesterday’s meeting from 126 to 124 homes, 19 of which were affordable housing.
Speaking after the meeting, David Ellis, of Occupation Lane, who objected to the plans, said: “I am very pleased with the decision.”
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