Councillors have refused a new homes plan after the applicant insisted on allowing combine harvesters through the estate.

Persimmon Homes’ plan for 47 houses on fields at Flockton Hall Farm, Flockton have been refused.

The firm wanted to build the estate on farm land off the A637 Barnsley Road but still allow the land owner access to the remaining fields.

A decision on the scheme was deferred last month after councillors complained proposals to move large farming vehicles through the estate were dangerous.

But a month on and the applicant, Persimmon’s upmarket Charles Church brand, refused to alter the proposal.

It said there was no other way to access the fields and claimed agricultural equipment would only use the road six times per year.

Persimmon Homes' proposal was turned down after it insisted on allowing combine harvesters access to the fields through the new build estate
Persimmon Homes' proposal was turned down after it insisted on allowing combine harvesters access to the fields through the new build estate

Kirklees highways officials also declared driving tractors and farm equipment through the estate was safe while planning officers recommended councillors approve the idea.

But angry councillors disagreed.

Holme Valley Tory, Clr Nigel Patrick, said: “There’s no way on this earth that I’m going to support any application that allows farm vehicles on an estate where children will be playing.

“Children and tractors simply do not mix.

“I’ve been involved in farming all my life and I’m absolutely amazed that they’ve come back with this.

“It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Some parent’s child is going to come a cropper.”

Denby Dale’s Clr Graham Turner said he did not believe claims of only six days harvesting per year.

Clr Graham Turner

And he said he doubted residents would be happy if combine harvesters were moving through their street at midnight.

“I really can’t support something that puts agricultural vehicles through a housing estate,” he said.

“We wouldn’t do it with HGVs so why do it with tractors.”

Meanwhile, a second plan to build 24 homes at Manor House Farm, Flockton, was also allowed despite complaints from villagers.

The site is hampered by the presence of four mine shafts and six coal seams, last worked on in 1962, and requires decontamination.

There are also likely to be buried cellars from the 19th century built Manor House which was demolished in the 1970s.

The site was given outline permission and the number of homes could be reduced.