Flood risk concerns raised as councillors approve 100 homes plan for South Kirkby
Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee approved Persimmon Homes’ proposals to build the properties at a 4.5 hectare site off Mayfields Way, next to the town’s cricket club.
Councillors have voted in favour of plans to build up to 104 homes on former greenbelt land in South Kirkby.
Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee approved Persimmon Homes’ proposals to build the properties at a 4.5 hectare site off Mayfields Way, next to the town’s cricket club.
More than 60 residents objected to the scheme, along with South Kirkby and Moorthorpe Town Council and local MP Jon Trickett, citing concerns that the development would create a serious flood risk.
Opponents also said the scheme would add to traffic congestion and road safety problems in the area.
David Pringle, councillor for South Elmsall and South Kirkby, spoke against the plans at a meeting at Wakefield Town Hall on Thursday (August 20)
He said: “Stating the obvious, covering land with concrete creates an impermeable surface that blocks rainwater from soaking into the soil, turning heavy downpours into flash flooding surface run-off that overloads drainage systems.
“I have been lobbied by South Kirby Cricket Club, who have extensive worries about this.
“I know that some will argue that localised attenuation tanks and ponds will mitigate the risk of such floods, but try saying that the next time there are canoes floating in the Asda car park at South Elmsall.”
The site was removed from the greenbelt and allocated for housing under Wakefield Council’s Local Plan, which was adopted in 2024.
The developer plans to build a range of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties.
The scheme also includes creating two public open spaces within the development and a “biodiverse green corridor” alongside nearby Langthwaite Beck.
New pedestrian footpaths and cycleways are also planned and a public right of way through the site is to be retained.
Local resident Mark Piacentini also urged councillors to reject the scheme, saying: “This application is built on an unfit proposal, unfit land, unsafe access, unassessed environmental impact and foreseeable structural failure.
“It is a decision with consequences.
“You do not actually have the evidence before you today to be properly satisfied that it will not increase catastrophic flood risk locally and downstream.”
Zoe Simmonds, representing Persimmon, told the meeting: “We have worked closely with officers over the last year to resolve all outstanding matters and the scheme is quality-compliant in all respects.
“Importantly, there are no objections from officers or statutory consultees.
“The area of the site proposed for development is at low risk of flooding from all water sources.
“While we are aware of the high water table in the area, this is not unusual.
“The drainage strategy has taken this into account and appropriate drainage features are proposed to accommodate surface water, including the potential effects of climate change.
“There are also no objections from Yorkshire Water.”
Officers recommended the scheme for approval ahead of the meeting and councillors voted in favour of it by a majority of five to one, with one councillor abstaining.
After the meeting, James Parkin, land director Persimmon West Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to have these plans for new, high-quality homes approved.
“This site will provide a wide mix of different house types which we believe will prove popular with local homebuyers.”