Plans expected for 185 homes across farmland and football pitches in Hemsworth
Persimmon Homes has earmarked a 10.5-hectare site west of the town for the major housing project.
A developer looks set to lodge plans to build up to 185 homes in Hemsworth.
Persimmon Homes has earmarked a 10.5-hectare site west of the town for the major housing project.
Much of the site off Highfield Road is farmland but also includes former council-owned junior football pitches.
Wakefield Council agreed to offer to sell the pitches to Persimmon in 2024, saying the deal would help the authority meet targets for building new homes across the district.
At the time, senior councillors said the developer would have to provide new and improved replacement pitches if the sale went ahead.
Persimmon has yet to submit a formal planning application but has requested a screening opinion from the local authority.
Planning regulations require applicants to request a report if the size of urban development projects exceed one hectare.
They indicate to developers how likely an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would be needed before a formal planning application is submitted.
The report, published this week, said an EIA was not required.
It stated: “The development, through its design and layout at application stage, would be capable of being designed to not have a negative impact on the local area, either on its own or in combination with the existing and/or proposed housing.”
The document said initial proposals included building housing, footpaths, access roads and drainage infrastructure across six hectares.
Two replacement football pitches and further greenspace are earmarked for 4.5 hectares.
A former council depot on Moorshutt Road is also set to be demolished to build a car park to serve the development.
The site was reallocated for housing under the council’s Local Plan, which was adopted in 2024 and sets out a framework for development across the district.
Under the plan, a total of 820 homes have been allocated to be built in Hemsworth over the next decade across five sites.