'Largest house' in Low Bradley given planning permission by Craven planners

Applicants, Mr and Mrs Nelson, wanted to build the five bedroom home, with integral triple garage, in the garden of their existing property, Holly Tree House, for themselves and for future dependent family members, heard Craven District Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday.

The scheme, for the substantial garden - formerly a field - is also to include a pair of three bedroom semi-detached homes, both with garages.

Councillors were told that the design of the largest of the three new properties was unusual but that national advice to planning authorities was if it was a good design it should not be opposed.

It was a ‘stand alone’ development, but using traditional materials, while the pair of semi-detached homes were more traditional, they were told.

The site is also not included in the emerging Craven Local Plan as a housing site, or in the Bradley Neighbourhood Plan.

Ward councillor Andrew Brown, described the five bedroom property as the ‘largest in the village’ and questioned whether the development as a whole would contribute to the vitality of Low Bradley.

And he called on the committee members to go with their consciences and with the emerging local plan, ignore officer advice and reject the planning application.

But, members were told they would need to get used to ‘windfall’ sites coming forward that were not included in the local plan and that they would have to judge them on their own merits.

Despite concerns of an increase in traffic contributing to the already congested Skipton Road, which includes Bradleys Both Primary School, the application had been cleared by the highways authority.

Cllr Derek Booth, of Bradley Parish Council, said Skipton Road was effectively a one way street and the addition of more cars accessing onto the road would make the situation worse.

While, Steve Matthews, on behalf of objectors said it was a ‘perfect example of shoehorn development’.

“Bradley was a charming village and has lost its identity,” he said.

Cllr Chris Rose said she was concerned about the size of the largest of the houses, which she described as ‘huge’ and believed an increase in cars in the area would add to existing problems.

And, Cllr Linda Brockbank said she was ‘very torn’, commenting she understood there were no planning grounds to refuse the application, but that she disagreed with the highways authority.

“Maybe the parish council could approach highways to get something done about the road. I’m very reluctant to approve it, and I think everyone feels the same, but we can’t do anything about it, “ she said.

Councillors voted six - two to approve the application, with one abstention.