Dozens of local people have been taking a first look at plans for a proposed new residential development in a West Yorkshire town.
Banks Property is preparing proposals for an 11-hectare development on land to the east of the B6273 Wakefield Road in Hemsworth, to the south east of Wakefield, which will include up to 260 high-quality homes of different sizes and types.
The project, which is being brought forward in line with the emerging Wakefield Local Plan, would also include a network of new footpaths, new wildlife habitats to encourage local biodiversity and an electric vehicle charging point installed at every new home.
Around 50 people attended two surgery events held in Hemsworth by Banks Property to introduce its plans to the local community and provide opportunities for residents and businesses to ask questions and share their views about the proposals.
The feedback gathered at the event will be taken into account in the outline planning application which is expected to be finalised and submitted to Wakefield Council in the autumn.
Public open space will be made available as part of the development, while routes to Vale Head Park and Hemsworth Water Park, which both sit to the north of the site, will be enhanced to improve access to these local leisure facilities.
Improvements to the parks including new footpath routes are being explored, while improvements would be made to the Station Road/B6273 Hemsworth town centre junction as part of the project, with new road markings and signals put in place to improve its operation.
Part of The Banks Group, Banks Property has developed brownfield and greenfield land for commercial and residential property schemes across the north of England and Scotland using its ‘development with care’ approach for more than 35 years.
It has previously delivered successful property schemes in a range of locations across Yorkshire, including Harrogate, Sheffield and Leeds, and is currently progressing plans for a new sustainable extension to the village of Eggborough in North Yorkshire, which would include up to 1,500 energy efficient properties of all types.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, says: “We look to share as much information as possible with residents and businesses in the areas where we’re looking to create new communities, so everyone can make an informed decision on what we’re proposing.
“Staging these events is a central part of the process and we’re grateful to all those people who took the time to come along to speak to us.”
“There is a clear and increasingly pressing need across the UK to increase the available supply of quality homes, including in this popular part of West Yorkshire, and this site, with its proximity to schools, shops and other local services, is a logical northern extension to the existing community.
“We firmly believe that this is a wholly suitable location for the high-quality development that we’re proposing, and hope Wakefield Council’s planning committee will recognise its many merits when it comes to consider our planning application.”
For further information on Banks Property’s Hollins Bank proposals or to provide feedback online, please visit www.banksgroup.co.uk/hollinsbank
To contact the project team, please email hollinsbank@banksgroup.co.uk