Persimmon Homes development, off Westgate, Cleckheaton.

11.02.10am GMT Thu 10th Nov 2005

In a speech to the Heavy Woollen Planning Sub-Committee; Batley Town Hall, 3 November 2005 Councillor Andrew Pinnock called for the demolition of three properties built by Persimmon Homes off Wesgate, Cleckheaton Councillor Pinnock said " The application [to resite four dwellings on part of the application site] came to committee three times before we got the houses in the right place (or a place that was satisfactory for all concerned). In the course of discussions, the number of houses was reduced from four to three.When built the houses were shown to be at substantially the wrong level. Not only that, the end house is now at a different level from the other two."

"What could be the reason for this? I have to say that I am somewhat surprised given that Persimmon are a firm that operate nationally and have a reputation to protect. Just recently they have received an award from CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) for a development in Southampton. However, research on the internet reveals criticism of Persimmon development in Oxford, Stockton and Colne (and a local resident has previously referred to a case in Wiltshire)."

The Planning Committee exists (amongst other things) to protect the interests of the public and the local authority, within planning legislation in force. The conditions that get attached to planning permissions are there so that developments are constructed in accordance with the wishes of the Local Planning Authority.Therefore, I move that the committee require Persimmon Homes to demolish all three dwellings on the ground that all three cause damage to the amenity of the surrounding residents, in that they have been built at the wrong levels."