Business park plan re-emerges
A SCHEME that would result in a green field site near Clifton being developed as a business park could be back on track.
Clifton residents, who have fought for years to protect the land near the Holiday Inn, Wakefield Road, are preparing to fight again.
Chartered surveyor Mr Robert Halstead, acting on behalf of landowners Wharfedale Finance, has written to Clifton Action Group advising them a planning application could be submitted soon to the council.
"We are monitoring the situation and keeping an eye on all planning applications," said action group member Mr David Armitage.
In October 2008 an exhibition was staged at the Holiday Inn to let people know what the proposals at that time were.
"After the exhibition we were told to expect an application going in before Christmas that year," said Mr Armitage. "But so far nothing has happened until we received the letter. We want to keep people in Clifton aware of the situation and we will be looking at the weekly lists."
He said if the applicant was given outline permission they would be able to go back for detailed permission at a later date.
The exhibition was attended by around 100 people but many were disappointed.
Members of the action group felt it lacked content and that very few facts were available. The general feeling from people in the area was that the land should not be developed. A major concern was the amount
of traffic a business park would generate.
The scheme proposed in 2008 would not have taken up the whole of the site and Mr Halstead said the applicant was keen to have feedback from people in the area.
Coun Joyce Cawthra (Con, Brighouse) said letters had been sent to councillors and to the action group.
"It appears a smaller development than previously suggested is being looked at," said Coun Cawthra. "I still maintain extra traffic in the area created by a development would cause problems at the M62."
She said Brighouse had good access to and from the motorway but it could be blocked if there was extra traffic in the area.
Coun Colin Stout (Ind, Brighouse) said he felt the applicant was seeking people's reactions. He did not think now was the right time to be building new office parks.
"We have empty industrial premises nearby and the traffic would certainly need sorting out," he said.
Mr Halstead said Clifton Action Group and councillors had been consulted about the new plan and were waiting for feedback from them.
"The plans are still being finalised," said Mr Halstead. "But the plan is that it will still be a business park as before on part of the site.
We have consulted the action group and councillors and we are waiting for feedback from them if they have any points to make."
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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