29 Rustic Avenue
Southowram
Halifax
HX3 9QW
Tel: (01422) 323529
E: timswift.labour@gmail.com
Ms J Branscombe
Planning Officer
Calderdale MBC
14 October 2016
Dear Sirs
- 2 As outlined in the previous section, the current site is a mix of some buildings and broader tree
cover, and the loss of this would have a detrimental effect on visual amenity, as well as potential
impact on wildlife.
Risks associated with former coal mining activities
The Coal Mining Risk Assessment document submitted with the application clearly identifies
very substantial risks to the development arising from previous mining. It recommends a
significant and costly range of further investigation work, none of which is referenced in the
Design and Access statement.
When the nearby properties on Elderberry Way and Blackberry Way were constructed by Britannia
Homes, significant voids were discovered during construction which required massive quantities
of infill material and created major costs in terms of site stability. It is therefore highly likely that
similar issues will arise with this site.
In addition, there are known drainage issues associated with former mine workings throughout
the Siddal area. For example, these recently caused significant problems on Rosemary Lane
which is only a few hundred metres from this site. Before any application is considered, a full
investigation into these issues is required to ensure that development on this site will not create
drainage and land movement issues for existing properties.
For these reasons, an outline application which does not investigate these issues and identify the
likely costs of remedial activity is not appropriate as it could lead to a principle of development
being approved on a site where development is economically not feasible.
Yours sincerely