Nearly 450 new homes for West Yorkshire approved despite 'overdevelopment' claims
Two housing schemes comprising almost 450 homes in a West Yorkshire town have been given the go-ahead by councillors.
Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee followed officers’ recommendations and gave the green light for the residential developments in Normanton.
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A combined total of more than 300 residents objected to the proposals by Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey.
The Persimmon scheme includes the construction of 308 properties across 15 hectares of farmland to the west of Wakefield Road.
The land, near to the entrance to Welbeck landfill site and close to the town’s former brickworks, was removed from the greenbelt and allocated for housing in the council’s Local Plan in 2024.
Some 224 objections were submitted to the local authority, including those from district councillors, Normanton Town Council and the area’s MP Jon Trickett.
Opponents cited a lack of local infrastructure to accommodate more housing and raised concerns over an increase in traffic in the area.
Others highlighted flood risks posed by the development and its potential impact on local wildlife.
Normanton councillor Julie Medford described the site as “the only green space left in Normanton” as she urged the committee to reject the plans at a meeting on Friday (March 13).
She said: “Other than that we have a bypass, houses and motorways. It really is the only green space left.
“This is a place where people have walked dogs and relaxed for decades.
“It’s so important for the wellbeing of our community.”
Coun Medford said the local authority was currently considering six separate housing applications for Normanton.
See added: “That is too much development for one town to cope with all at once.
“That is too much development which will affect our growth, infrastructure, dentists, doctors, schools and more.”
Normanton Town councillor Mark Jennings said: “Wakefield Road already has heavy traffic. Issues have been raised about congestion.
“Additional movements generated by this development will increase the risk on highways safety.
“The development would also result in the permanent loss of agricultural land.”
Persimmon said public open green spaces would be created within the site and all homes would to be fitted with EV chargers and air source heat pumps.
The developer also said it it would contribute more than £600,000 to upgrade local highways and transport links.
The housebuilder has pledged to pay an additional £840,000 for investment in community infrastructure.
After the meeting, James Parkin, land director for Persimmon West Yorkshire , said: “We’re delighted these plans for new, high-quality homes have been approved.
“This site is allocated for housing in the Wakefield Local Plan and will provide a great mix of new homes for local homebuyers.
“The site will deliver energy efficient homes set amongst significant areas of public open spaces for residents to enjoy.”
In a separate application, Taylor Wimpey was granted permission to build 137 houses on five hectares of agricultural land off Buckthorne Road.
A range of two, three and four-bedroom properties were proposed, including 14 affordable homes.
A total of 92 objections were submitted citing concerns similar to those raised over the Persimmon development.
An officer’s report said: “The proposed development is acceptable in principle and, subject to the imposition of planning conditions and a legal agreement, there are considered to be no technical reasons to withhold planning permission.”