Controversial Planning Application to be discussed at forthcoming public meeting

A new controversial planning application for a petrol station and drive through coffee bar at the site of the White Bar at Tingley was discussed at a public meeting.  The new plan follows years of campaigning by Councillors and local residents to prevent a McDonald’s takeaway restaurant on the site, which was rejected by a Planning Inspector in 2016 following a Public Inquire.

Councillor Robert Finnigan, who represented local residents at the Public Inquiry which considered the McDonald’s application said “This is a new application for the site but it will face many of the same problems the previously refused McDonald’s application did.  This includes its proximity to Woodkirk Academy and the impact on residential amenity of vehicles parking on the Old Dewsbury Road adjacent to the site.  It is difficult to see how the previous Planning Inspector’s refusal can be overcome when the same problems are likely to occur with this new proposal.”

Following a request from Councillors Wyn Kidger and Judith Elliott, the matter will now be considered by Plans Panel for a final decision instead of a Planning Officer using delegated powers to decide the application.

Councillor Kidger said “We will be asking local residents what they think about the new application.  We continue to have significant concerns about it and would prefer a small residential housing application or a health centre on the site.”