The approved proposals include a detailed application for 176 homes as well as an outline application for a further 475 homes, school and commercial space on a 16 hectare greenfield site.
The Council's planning officers said in the committee report that, although the scheme did not comprise redevelopment of previously developed land, they considered that, because the site forms part of a housing allocation, it will be an "appropriate and sustainable" location.
The applications had been submitted by consultancy Turley on behalf of Gleeson. Gleeson Homes planning director Steve Gamble said the developer was "delighted" with the decision. “It is also a good decision for those people living and working in and around Knottingley looking to buy a new home.”
“This was a complex application for a scheme that will ultimately see 600 new homes on this site in Knottingley," said Turley Leeds director Matthew Sheppard. "These two permissions will go some way in helping Wakefield Council meet its housing requirements.”