Thousands object to plan to build 30,000 homes

Thousands of people signed petitions against a blueprint for where 30,000 homes will be built during the next 15 years.
Coun Peter McBride.Coun Peter McBride.
Coun Peter McBride.

Kirklees Council sought people’s views during a public consultation on its Local Plan, which sets out future housing developments in the local authority area.

A revised version of the plan was discussed at a meeting of the council’s cabinet yesterday and will now be examined by the government inspectors to make sure it complies with planning rules.

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During the consultation, a total of 4,672 people signed eight separate petitions against parts of the Local Plan, said a report to the cabinet meeting.

They objected to building on sites in Mirfield, Liversedge, Scholes, Raikes Lane, Grange Moor, Little Wood in Batley, Gomersal and Netherton and South Crossland.

Kirklees Council said the Local Plan was drawn up using evidence of where new homes, schools, jobs and roads would be needed.

Coun Peter McBride, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The evidence tells us to plan for about 31,000 new homes over the plan period.

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“With some developments in the pipeline already, we have had to find about 21,000 in this plan.

“Having a local plan in place is not a choice.

The government tells us we have to have this, and the Planning Inspectorate will decide whether our plan is sound.

“So our process has to be based on evidence and not political expediency.

“In drafting our plan the way we have, we have actually increased the amount of urban greenspace.”

The revised Local Plan will now be put out to public consultation.