Free public transport use with planned Guiseley homes

Residents of a proposed new housing development in Guiseley will get free train and bus travel in West Yorkshire for a year.

One free MetroCard per household forms part of a package of community benefits being negotiated with Leeds City Council alongside Redrow Homes’ planning application for 96 new homes.

The travel card will be provided free for the first year and discounted in years two and three.

The proposed development, on eight acres of land off Netherfield Road, Guiseley, will also bring with it financial contributions to local education, off-site green space, highways improvements and public transport, plus some affordable housing.

Redrow won outline planning permission for the development following a public inquiry and has now submitted a detailed application for 96 properties from its New Heritage Collection of traditionally styled homes. Similar properties are already being built near Selby and in Halifax.

John Grime, managing director for Redrow Homes (Yorkshire), said: “Having secured the go-ahead from a Government planning inspector for our scheme, we are keen to work with the local authority and the community to minimise the impact of our new development.

“We are keen to promote sustainable forms of travel and so the free and discounted MetroCards for every household are an important part of our proposal.”

The MetroCard allows virtually unlimited travel on buses and trains throughout West Yorkshire, so will link residents with the nearby cities of Leeds and Bradford as well as further afield.

“Our development will only be short walk from Guiseley train station so residents could enjoy a free commute to Leeds city centre in the time it takes them to drink their morning cup of coffee,” John added.

Redrow is planning a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, with a predominance of detached family homes.

Redrow’s New Heritage Collection incorporates external features more typical of older, ‘character’ homes, such as dropped eaves, projecting plinths, bays and other distinctive window styles, timber or tiled canopies over doors and windows, supported by decorative gallows brackets, and the use of larch lap boarding as a feature. Inside, however, they are spacious, bright and modern, with family friendly, open plan layouts, high specification kitchens and bathrooms, and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.

Subject to planning approval from Leeds City Council, Redrow hopes to begin building this autumn and to launch sales with fully furnished show homes in Spring 2012. Visit redrow.co.uk for general information about Redrow and its New Heritage Collection.