Residents of a village near Wakefield in West Yorkshire have objected to a major housing development they claim will turn the area into a ‘concrete jungle’.
Developer Taylor Wimpey has applied to Wakefield Council to build 408 new homes on farmland in Altofts and says an assessment of the facilities needed will be agreed with the authority.
It says the proposals include ‘a full range of housing, both private and affordable and constitutes sustainable development due to the numerous economic, social and environmental benefits’.
However, more than 200 people have objected to the plans, claiming the local road network struggles to cope with traffic in the area and they will damage the environment.
Wakefield environment group Residents Against Toxic Scheme says it should be illegal to build more houses until there is sufficient water, sewage and transport infrastructure.
The group’s president Paul Dainton said: ‘There has been no real improvement to the roads in Altofts.
‘You are talking about horse and cart roads that have barely been updated since the 1800s.
‘The traffic is horrendous in the village, especially around our schools at peak times.’
A planning statement submitted on behalf of Taylor Wimpey says an assessment of capacity will be agreed with the local council through the application process.
‘The housing needs of the district will be addressed by the proposals helping to provide a range and choice of new homes for local people.’
