Campaigners in Otley are celebrating after Leeds City Council paused plans for a development that would have seen 700 homes and a new road built in the town.
The massive scheme drew almost 1000 complaints on the Leeds City Council planning website from people in the town, and campaign groups criticised it for failing to take into account the climate crisis or the biodiversity crisis.
Andrew Howarth, the Community Development Lead of Otley 2030, a group dedicated to making the town carbon-zero by 2030, said the East of Otley development had not taken into account local people’s views.
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He said: “The plan failed on so many different levels, it failed ecologically, the houses were of a poor standard and the transport system was focused on cars.
“We want to implement what we call a 15 minute neighbourhood where everything is 15 minutes away by foot or by bicycle. This was the perfect opportunity but it wasn’t even considered.”
Otley Town Council also welcomed the decision to pause the application and their chairman, Richard Hughes said: “The Council was pleased that Leeds Planning Authority has listened to the concerns raised by Otley’s residents who have been rightly worried about the development.”
The planning application was put forward by the East of Otley consortium which was made up by Leeds City Council, Persimmon Homes and Lovell Homes among others.
Mr Howarth went on to say Otley 2030 was not completely opposed to the development, but they want their views taken into account after they believe they were not listened to at the last public consultation.
He also said Otley 2030 is looking for further engagement with experts to help them come up with new ideas to help tailor the development to local needs in line with the needs of the climate.
He said: “It has been delayed and they’re looking for further consultation. We hope they will really engage and they won’t just tweak a few things to get it through.
“Some on the council clearly get it and we welcome the statement but we’re slightly sceptical.”
Leeds City Council said: “The East of Otley Development application has resulted in significant public comments, and we would like to thank all those that have commented up to this stage. As a result of this feedback, in discussion with the Local Planning Authority, it has been agreed that determination of the application will be paused to consider how the proposals can be developed further to address the issues and concerns raised.
"It is currently anticipated that further consultation on changes to the application is likely to take place in Autumn 2022.”
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