Councillors call two public meetings to discuss planning concerns

Councillors have called two public meetings last week to discuss community concerns around two separate controversial planning applications.  One at the White Bear site at Tingley and the second on Howley Park Road, close to Rein Park housing estate.

Over sixty residents attended the White Bear site public meeting to be told about a new application at the site to include a petrol station and Costa coffee shop.

Councillor Wyn Kidger said “It is clear that residents are tired at having to constantly battle against proposals that will have a significant negative impact on residential amenity.  The previously rejected McDonalds takeaway would have had a significant negative impact on the community as will this new application because of highways safety concerns, the potential for anti-social parking, noise and litter.”

Residents agreed to continue to campaign for more sensitive developments at the site such as sheltered affordable housing for older residents.

The second public meeting held at Morley Town Hall was attended by around thirty residents from the Rein Park estate off Britannia Road, who were concerned about proposals for a new road out of Rein Road quarry exiting on to the Howley Park Industrial Estate.

Councillor Judith Elliot said “Many residents at the meeting were concerned about the impact the new road out of the quarry would have on their homes, some of which are only metres away from it.  They have raised concerns regarding dust, noise and pollution levels and we have agreed to take up their concerns with the relevant Planning Officer.”

Councillors have requested that both applications are referred to Plans Panel, which means any final decision on the applications will be made by a Panel of Councillors not a delegated decision taken by a Planning Officer.