I was just looking for the link to the WMDC on-line consultation page for the modifications to add the Newmarket Rumours thread and discovered that while the consultation does not open until this Thursday... the document is already open to view here - [urlhttp://consult.wakefield.gov.uk/portal/spatial_policy/ssp_mod/ssp_mod?pointId=1330702577880[/url

And... as I expected and predicted of course (

) it is indeed brilliant news and the most significant development we have had to date!!!

The Newmarket site remains firmly in the LDF to be taken out of greenbelt to provide 51ha of B8 development land and the while they have recommended modifications, again as I thought, these modifications are very positive and merely seek to clarify some comments the inspector made in relation to defensible & landscaping green belt boundary's and the access to the site.

The recommended modifications are as follows -

Modification 1

[iES W40A – Newmarket Colliery – additional text to ensure significant landscape buffers provided adjacent to the green belt boundaries.

Amend text to include reference to buffer landscaping.

“Development shall retain, or incorporate new, structural planting of native species on the site boundaries to create a defined natural green buffer to the development and the green belt.”

To create a defensible green belt boundary in accordance with national planning policy[/i

Modification 2

[iNew Local Road Network option to safeguard alignment for access serving ES W40A.

Insert new site box into Transport Chapter after TS SE116 to read: “TS W239 – NEWMARKET ACCESS ROAD. As part of the development of the former Newmarket Colliery (ES W40A) a new access road will be constructed. This road is required to deliver the level of development proposed for this allocation and to ensure that a means of access is achievable direct from the A642 Aberford Road. The exact route of the access road is unknown at this stage and as such this is a safeguarded alignment and shown on the Proposals Map.” Amend Proposals Map to include safeguarded alignment.

To ensure that a means of access to the site can be provided in accordance with the development plan.[/i

Simply put, the inspector firstly wants to ensure that boundary landscaping to the site allocation is a legal condition in the LDF. As you will know, very extensive landscaping proposals were included in the planning application anyway, so it really changes nothing to what Yorkcourt have already proposed, the LDF inspector just wants to make sure it is a legal LDF condition.

Secondly, the inspector wants to ensure that access to the site is allowed for in the LDF. Again, the planning application shows an access but once again the inspector needs to ensure, within the LDF, that a new access road to the B8 element of the site is a firm legal condition of the LDF so a new access road would have the framework to be given planning even though it would probably have to cross a small area of greenbelt.

I did think that these would be the changes but is great to see them in black & white and confirmed.

The upshot is that WMDC feel (as I did) that the inspector is happy that Newmarket is the best site option to deliver a major part (51ha) of the 95ha of B8 required. As such, this site is 95% there and the other 5% is what WMDC have added to ensure that Newmarket is totally robust to the inspector, based on her comments.

While it is technical possible for the inspector to change the allocation to another site in her final report, it is beyond unlikely to actual happen. Newmarket is almost certain to come out of greenbelt in the adopted LDF.

The report also states the following -

[iAn additional Public Hearing Session will be held, if necessary, by Shelagh Bussey DipTP, DipEM, MA, PhD, MRTPI, the independent planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, on 24 May 2012 in Committee Room A County Hall, Wakefield.[/i

So, if she needs to hold a public hearing then it will happen on 24th May. So, a copy of her draft final report to Eric Pickles office before the 30th May is of course very possible....

Told you... the good news just keeps coming!



If anyone wants to look at the document, the link is above and the Chapters that have the Newmarket information in (ES W40A) is 2,3 & 4.

Sounds like great news IA, thanks for bringing it to light.

In my laymans level of understanding it looks very much like the Inspector is ensuring certain conditions of building the development are legally binding. It doesn't take a genius to conclude that said conditions would not be necessary if the development was not going to be approved.

Sounds like the most positive indication yet!

Cheers IA.

If only one could rely on common sense in the world of politics, I'd throw a party now; since that's not the case, I'll keep my powder dry until May.

Looks like great news though - it's coming together!

Sounds very positive. BTW is d-day still the end of May ?

That good news it looks like the jigsaw is coming together this city needs a community stadium and we will get it.

Thanks for this IA.

It looks like its all coming together and whilst no one wants to start "counting chickens" yet I feel (as I always have done) that we will get some fantastic news before the end of May which whilst it will be good for Wakefield Trinity it will also be great news for the citizens of Wakefield MDC.

Never mind the end of May

, Can we please have an exact day IA, just so i can book the party room and the two days off!!!




Not counting my chickens of course, but can anyone recommend a good party supplies company, balloons, bunting etc.....?

No we'll wait, and throw a big one then!!! Is Cats Bar reasonably priced????

Thankyou IA.

Excellent news

that was heavy reading, and an hour of my time i won't get back!!

does anyone know how long the public hearing with shirley bassey will take?

This is indeed good news! Roll on the end of May so we can know for sure one way or t'other.

i don't consider myself thick, but what is an ldf? i seem to have missed that one along the way.

my reading of the situation is that the public inquiry went well, leeds collapsed under scrutiny and fatty pickles will be advised to approve.

i'll be happy if newmarket's capacity is comparable with pickles' daily calorie intake.

Local Development Framework. Effectively it says what needs to be built and in what areas it should be built in. I think!

Just that one day to discuss all and only the modifications.

We nick-named her Shelagh Bossy as she does not stand for any messing in the hearings, especially from the planning professionals. She lets Joe Public have a bit more rope... but not too much!

Spot on and, despite objections from the public and LCC on both this and the planning application, what this basically says is that the inspector is happy that the Newmarket site was the correct site all along for the B8 industrial development and given that this was the major reason most people and LCC objected, means that this is proving that their objections were unfounded!

thanks

This is good news and could be very significant. I'm as sure as I can be that if the inspector thought another site was preferable then the council would have been told to consider its options. This sounds to me like a vehicle to ensure it can be ratified with the minimum of fuss and keep new objectors to a minimum. There was talk of extra greenbelt being taken out but this would give more scope for opposition so this to me seems the best option. It takes the objectors concerns of traffic on Newmarket lane and loss of 'greenery' legally out of the equation. Whilst its not yet a done deal its a good-sized step in the right direction.

Its crazy isnt it .
We are all more enthused by positive news re, Newmarket than what is actually happening on the field.
ie finiishing around 11th in the league ,but thumbs up for Newmarket means a brilliant 2012.
But thats the game we are now in and must go along with it before the day comes when the actual game of Rugby League we all argue about and love takes precedence once more.

Good reading but not poping the cork just yet.. but very happy with news so far..

Whats the bets on somebody buying the spindle tree and reopening it could be a little gold mine if all goes to plan

Its had planning passed to be converted into a house.

This all sounds like fantastic news ... as I live in Stanley, with a bit of luck, it won't be too long before I'm taking my sandwiches to sit and watch our stadium being built!



You can come along and talk me through it IA

Nearly right...the family that has bought it is planning on demolishing it and building a large detached house on it !!

I object, and very strongly, i'll will write to my MP about this disgusting act.