The final green light has been given for 200 homes in Scissett.

Redrow house builders was given consent over the layout, appearance and landscape at their site off Pilling Lane at a sub planning committee at Dewsbury Town Hall.

It comes over a year since the company first gained outline planning consent in December 2013.

Dozens of planning conditions were also passed which cover issues such as drainage and foul water disposal.

But campaigners were left frustrated with the process which they said did not properly take into account their concerns over increased flooding risks and the strain the development could have on services in the area.

In the meeting, planning officer John Ritchie explained that new systems, including the diversion of water to the nearby River Dearne, would work to ensure that water was properly disposed.

But the Rev Philip Reynolds, of St Aidan’s Church, said plans for drainage were unclear and asked councillors not to agree to conditions until they were satisfied about what they meant.

He said: “To residents, it’s very unclear as to what the capacity of the treatment works will actually be and how many people will eventually be contributing to it.”

Save our Scissett group and campaigners from Skelmanthorpe and Shelley Action Group with councillors
Save our Scissett group and campaigners from Skelmanthorpe and Shelley Action Group with councillors

Meanwhile, Helen France from Skelmanthorpe Community Action Network said: “Even though we have sent Redwood photos, staff still don’t accept that the river floods – they just believe computer statistics instead.

“We’re very concerned that their system will lead to our roads and footpaths flooding.”

Meanwhile, Cleckheaton councillor Andrew Pinnock highlighted his initial worries .

He said: “We have to be careful as we are not drainage experts. We need to rely on the advice given and I’m not sure that I’m happy about what’s here in relation to water run off.”

Yet councillors overwhelming agreed to give consent for all matters due to evidence given at the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, Pennine Way resident Linda Healey, said: “It’s a shambles.

“They haven’t taken any of our arguments into account. I want it to be on public record that this site will flood because we don’t want it to impact on our insurance.”

The Rev Philip added: “It’s very wrong the way these decisions have gone. They don’t take into account reality.

“It’s not a case of us not liking the answers, it’s a case of us not getting the answers at all.”