Developers appeal decision to reject care home plan on former Calderdale school

Last year Calderdale Council rejected Torsion Care Ltd’s proposals to demolish the former Hipperholme Grammar Junior School at Wakefield Road, Lightcliffe, largely due to concerns about the size and scale of the proposed new building.

The application had been hugely controversial with the council receiving almost 140 letters of objection, and a community objection submitted on behalf of 23 residents.

Objectors said the sheer amount of opposition included a GP surgery, a school, ward councillors and Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker,voicing concerns the building would be overbearing and issues relating to layout, flooding and drainage, and trees.

Councillor George Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) described the design as “a monstrosity” when the application came before the council’s Planning Committee.

Torision Care said construction of the care home would be a design of high quality provide 55 new jobs, 40 of which would be full-time, and the company had made changes within reason to address concerns and pointed out Calderdale planners had recommended councillors approve the proposals.

The company has now appealed the decision to refuse permission and this will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate on the basis of an exchange of written statements by the parties and a site visit by a Planning Inspector.

Comments submitted to the original application have been forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate, says the council, and will be taken into account by the Inpector unless people withdraw them.

Anyone wishing to comment further can do so online via the planning portal at https//acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ or by emailing [email protected]

People who do not have access to the internet should write to – sending three copies – to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3D Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

All representations should be received by the inspectorate by July 1.