Over 80 'affordable' homes approved for Castleford land

The properties are to be built on a patch of unused grassland on Pemberton Road in the Airedale area of the town and will consist of a mix of different-sized homes, including a small number of bungalows

The blueprints had been submitted by Leeds Federated Housing Association (LFHA) after they negotiated and successfully bought the land from Wakefield Council.

Once built, the homes will be split between 'affordable' rent, shared ownership and rent-to-buy. The planning department said it permitted the high-quantity of such homes because no other developers had stepped forward.

The council’s report read: “The applicant (LFHA) has stated that the site was specifically ring-fenced by Wakefield Council for the purposes of affordable housing with the site tendered out for 100 per cent affordable housing in 2017 as no private developers were interested in the land.

“There is a need in Castleford for 146 affordable homes per year. The housing officer considers this site to provide a mix of different size properties such as bungalows and houses to ensure a good mixed community.”

LFHA is planning to build 26 two-bedroom homes, 48 three-bedroom and eight homes with four or more bedrooms.

There will be four bungalows incorporated.

Plans show off-street parking for the homes, with two entrances to the estate from Pemberton Road and Ruskin Close.