From Chris S

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Residents of Midgehole and people who visit Hardcastle Crags want this application to be refused.

The application simply doesn't have anywhere near the level detail you'd need to make an informed decision. No Design & Access statement. Conversion of part of the site to 15 flats - but no detail regarding the rest of the site, just "residential". Nothing about special landscape value. Nothing about Ecology. Design. Height. Massing. Materials. Density. The highways statement is weak which is unacceptable given the existing traffic problems on Midgehole Road / junction with Keighley Road.

In 2011, we worked with the Council to create a planning and development brief, an attempt at pro-active planning. We're not against re-development of the site. We want to be involved in agreeing a sensitive, well considered scheme. To date - we've had no involvement / consultation. Its simply poor planning - the process and the application.

A petition with over 100 signatures of objection was handed in to the Council on 22nd April. The 'Save Hardcastle Crags' Facebook page has 120 objections too.

Will the Council make the right decision and refuse this and work with us to agree a more suitable scheme ? The application will be determined on the 19th June at Planning Committee.

Previously, on the HebWeb

HebWeb News: Midgehole Dyeworks (March 2011)