Unable to voice residents' concerns
IT'S not unusual for firms seeking planning permission for new schemes on their land to use the argument that they need approval in order to safeguard jobs and their future.
Crosslee plc successfully used it this week to support their controversial application for outline permission for 160 homes on their land at Hipperholme. The tumble drier manufacturer, which employs 400 people, has been one of the success stories of Calderdale's recent industrial development but, like many firms hard-hit by the recession, now finds itself having to look at new ways of strengthening the business. Had planning permission not been forthcoming, the firm argues it would have found itself in a precarious if not life-threatening predicament.
That argument was certainly persuasive enough to sway members of Calderdale Council's planning committee but it seems unfortunate that three of the people in the room with the best knowledge of the area were unable to put across their point of view. Ward councillors Colin Raistrick, Graham Hall and David Kirton, who all live close to the site, had to declare an interest and were therefore unable to voice their concerns over the proposals. Councillors are elected to speak out on issues that affect their local area yet, on an application with so many potential implications for traffic, schools and amenities on their doorstep, it seems rather bizarre that they were denied that opportunity.
The application has been approved and it seems likely the company will now proceed with its plans to sell off surplus land for housing but there will be many people in Hipperholme and Lightcliffe who will be dreading the arrival of the mechanical diggers.
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 24 May 2012
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