Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Controversial plans for the development of '10 semi-detached dwellings' - rejected by Hebden Royd town council last month - were last week thrown out by Calderdale Council without being put to the planning committee.

Using delegated powers, Calderdale Councils planning officers have refused this application on the grounds that it was the same application for the land behind Linden Mill as that refused by the Council in August of last year.

However, Hebden Bridge residents aren't celebrating yet as they're also awaiting news of landowners David Fletcher and Phillip Bintliffe of Studio BAAD - also architects for Green Tops' proposed development of the Millpond - appeal to the Government against the earlier decision.

There is also another outstanding planning application by the landowners to fell protected trees on the site. This application, also rejected by Hebden Royd Town Council, is seen by many as being heavily linked to the attempt to develop the site by removing large trees that would otherwise block access to and limit development of the site. The landowners maintain that the felling of the trees is required for "woodland management".

Updates to the story will appear on the HebWeb.