Housing plan on 'grey belt' gains initial go-ahead

Plans to build 60 new homes in Bradford have been given the initial go-ahead after a change in national planning rules.

The development on land off Highgate Grove in Clayton Heights went before members of Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee on Thursday.

A similar application was refused two years ago by the local authority after councillors were told the green belt status of the site made it unsuitable for housing.

Despite more than 250 objections, an outline application was approved after a planning officer said policies had "changed substantially with regards to green belt".

In a push to increase house building, the government introduced the "grey belt" policy in 2024.

Under the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, some green belt sites can be reallocated as grey belt, thus becoming suitable for building.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the planning officer said the development would be a planned extension to an existing residential area rather than an "uncontrolled sprawl" into fields.

The meeting was told 21 of the development's 60 homes would be reserved for affordable housing.

Residents living in the area cited several concerns in a letter of objection read to councillors.

Local streets that would be used to access the site were not wide enough, it said, with claims there would be a "significant risk" to highway safety by building an extra 60 homes in the area.

Alex Mitchell, Labour councillor for the Queensbury ward, told the meeting: "We can't even determine what these houses would look like.

"It is not right to approve a development on green belt without knowing what it will look like."

Richard Mowatt, agent for applicants Aura Land, argued the development would be a "logical extension to Clayton Heights".

Four members voted to approve the development and two voted against the plans.

A more detailed application will need to follow at a later date.

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