'Landmark' village farmhouse to be demolished for new homes
Plans to demolish a Victorian farmhouse to build nine new homes in a Wakefield village have been approved.
Milner Homes has been granted permission to bulldoze Poplar Farm, in Kirkhamgate, to make way for the properties.
Council planners gave the development the green light despite 23 objections from villagers.
Concerns were raised over traffic safety, loss of privacy for people living nearby and fears that the rural area was being “overdeveloped.”
The scheme includes building two detached properties facing Brandy Carr Road and a further seven homes with access from Hawthorn Close.
Former pig sheds, garages and a workshop are also to be removed to allow building to take place.
A planning statement submitted by the developer described the farmhouse, thought to have been built around 1886, as “no longer habitable.”
One objector described the building as having “a lot of history for the local area and no doubt many memories for local residents.”
They commented on the council planning portal: “It’s a landmark in the village and people often comment on what a beautiful property it is with true character.
“It’s certainly a view you never tire of and it’s part of the skyline.”
Another resident said: “When I moved to Kirkhamgate I moved to a village but have become increasingly closed in.
“I am concerned that the proposed nine dwellings will cause further problems with ground subsidence to properties already built above old coal mines.”
A third objector stated: “Brandy Carr Road is already an extremely busy and chaotic road at school run times.
“The added volume of traffic this would bring is very worrying to say the least as I have already witnessed many scary incidents which could have had very serious outcomes.”
No comments of support for the proposals were submitted.
Milner said the scheme complied with government planning policies and a “comprehensive scheme of engagement” had been carried out in the community before the plans were submitted, including leafleting 50 neighbouring properties.
The statement added: “Careful consideration of the proposed dwelling arrangement in relation to sensitive boundaries will ensure that the development harmonises with its surroundings.
“These combined elements will ensure the development is a pleasant, attractive and thriving environment to live.”
Approving the proposals, a planning officer’s report said: “The design and layout of the scheme would result in a high standard of housing environment by virtue of the proposed layout, scale, design, and landscaping that would protect the amenity of existing residents.”