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BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Green belt homes plan approved for Addingham despite objections
Plans to build housing on a "very special" area of green belt have been approved despite almost 100 objections.A planning application to build nine homes on a field off Turner Lane, in Addingham, Bradford, was first submitted by Joanne Ogilvie in the summer of plans attracted 99 objections from residents of the village, many of whom were concerned over the loss of green space on the edge of their councillors approved the application under new national guidelines which can allow green belt land to be reallocated as grey belt and suitable for housing. This can be in cases where the site does not prevent the sprawl of large built-up areas or prevent the merging of two neighbouring towns.A planning report to Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee suggested this site met the criteria, said the Local Democracy Reporting one of the objectors Stewart Bannister said: "Turner Lane is a very special place. It has always been a green space. At a time of year you will see snowdrops, followed by crocus, followed by daffodils."He said very few cars currently travelled on the stretch of road, making it popular with dog walkers, cyclists and ramblers."This is a real asset to Addingham and Bradford," he told dismissed developer's claims that the site was sustainable, and that residents would be able to walk to local facilities, pointing out that local Co-Op was more than a mile away and said the homes would not be affordable. 'Goalposts changed' Green councillor Caroline Whitaker questioned the consequences of agreeing this site could be downgraded to grey belt and said it could mean "any field in any village could be built on".Richard Mowat, representing the applicants, said Bradford's current housing position was "dire"."Nine dwellings can make a significant contribution to the local housing supply," he Labour committee chair Shabir Hussain said it was as difficult decision."The goalposts have been changed. This is the first decision we've had to make on the green belt, grey belt issue."He said the planning officer's report was very thorough, and he would be supporting committee voted five to one to approve the plan. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Doncaster council worker sacked for fraudulent refunds
A Doncaster council worker has been sacked after paying herself and family members more than £1,000 in fraudulent City of Doncaster Council worker, who has not been named, had taken £1,033 by "initiating refunds for services that were never commissioned", an internal audit report incident was investigated in June and July last year, after the employee's fraud was uncovered by her service Yorkshire Police confirmed a 42-year-old woman had been arrested and given a caution. The council audit report said efforts to recover the money were under of internal audit Peter Jackson said: "This was a very isolated incident." 'Very rare' Executive director of corporate resources Debbie Hogg said the council did not give the details of individual cases, and the council would not provide any when approached by the Local Democracy Reporting such incidents were "very rare as a result of the robust arrangements we have in place for preventing and detecting fraud", Hogg a meeting of the audit committee last Thursday, Councillor Iris Beech asked council officers what, if anything, could be done differently to prevent this happening again in the replied: "It's going to be inevitable that if somebody is minded [to commit fraud], they will find a way."It is subsequently picked up and worked through… We're never going to eradicate everything. It's just impossible."A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "On 6 September 2024, we received a report of fraud in Doncaster."It was reported that a woman had defrauded Doncaster Council of £1,033."On 27 January a 42-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation."Following an investigation, she was given a caution and the incident has since been filed." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
