Environment

Oakwell Hall in Birstall is set to close for over a year to allow for a major programme of improvement works.

Much-loved Grade I listed hall to close for over a year for £1.6m repair works

Voting opens to name Kirklees Council’s new fleet of gritters.

Voting opens to name Kirklees Council’s new fleet of gritters

Yorkshire Water is investing £2.5m to replace over 3.9km of water mains in Heckmondwike.

Yorkshire Water is investing £2.5m to replace over 3.9km of water main

Around 100 Mirfield residents turned out in force to rally against a proposed housing development at Balderstone Fields.

Residents rally to oppose housing development ahead of new planning legislation

Walkers try to stay cool in the summer heatwave.

Opposition groups criticise Reform's bid to scrap climate emergency declaration

A community arts project at Cleckheaton Library is bringing people together through creative outdoor exploration.

Outdoor library project bringing art, plants and people together

The country has seen record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures this summer, with many regions officially declared in drought. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

Cabinet tables motion to scrap Kirklees' climate emergency declaration

Kim Leadbeater has delivered an “unmistakable message” that reckless driving in Spen Valley’s towns and villages “will not be tolerated.”

‘Unmistakable message’ sent to reckless drivers after village meeting

A burst water main flooding road in the UK. (Photo by David Townend/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Burst water main leaves Liversedge residents with no water and low pressure

Dewsbury Sports Centre.

Campaigners battling to re-open sports centre prepare to address council meeting

People working and volunteering in community and voluntary organisations across Kirklees are being invited to have their say on the future of energy.

Communities invited to help shape the future of energy in Kirklees
With energy bills about to rise again in the October price cap increase, conversations are happening to strengthen energy resilience across Kirklees.
Dominic Brown

The band of volunteers known as The Old Cemetery Volunteers, who have been coming together every weekend to help tidy what was an “overgrown and unsightly” Cleckheaton Old Cemetery.

Tidying cemetery and sprucing up Commonwealth War Graves

A burst water main flooding road in the UK. (Photo by David Townend/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Burst water main leaves Batley residents with no water and low pressure

Here is everything you need to know about this year’s famous Agricultural Show in Mirfield. Photo by Phil Jackson.

Date, tickets, attractions and everything you need to know about Mirfield Show

Mabel and her giant sunflower at the 2025 Mirfield Show.

The secret to growing a ten foot sunflower revealed by green-fingered youngster

Kim Leadbeater has congratulated three much-loved parks and green spaces in Spen Valley after they were recognised with prestigious Green Flag Awards.

MP congratulates Spen Valley’s Green Flag Award winners

The Green Flag award for the village, which extends an unbroken streak of national recognition that, incredibly, began in 2019, was presented to volunteers from the East Bierley Village Preservation Society.

Villagers celebrate yet another Green Flag triumph

The new wooden train engine feature at Church House Pre-School.

Pre-school ‘overwhelmed by kindness’ at donation of new wooden train engine

Mirfield charity the Safe Anchor Trust has been formally presented with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest official recognition a voluntary group in the UK can receive.

Charity presented with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

The village of Roberttown was looking lovely ahead of the visit of Yorkshire in Bloom judges.

Roberttown welcomes Yorkshire in Bloom judges in bid to be county’s best village

Mirfield in Bloom welcomed judges from Yorkshire in Bloom.

Yorkshire in Bloom judges welcomed to Mirfield as town aims for Gold again

Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury.

Green Flags awarded to Dewsbury, Batley and Birstall parks

Members of Upper Hopton Community Association with their Green Flag.

Prestigious Green Flag award ‘means everything’ to Upper Hopton villagers

The scene at Cougar Park. Photo by Thomas Fynn.

Dewsbury Rams’ Championship game called off at Keighley Cougars

Campaigners at Save Mirfield at the site.

Claims Mirfield housing development site contains Bronze Age human remains

Volunteer planting event at Top O' Th' Hill, Todmorden. Picture: White Rose Forest

Residents to benefit from trees planted this season

Members of Heckmondwike-based crafts group Spen Shed have created some new homes for wildlife at the Jo Cox Community Wood.

Craft group creates new homes for wildlife at Jo Cox Community Wood

The new courtyard garden at Dewsbury Hospital.

Improved courtyard garden opens at Dewsbury Hospital
A newly enhanced courtyard garden has opened at Dewsbury and District Hospital.
Adam Cheshire

Members of Mirfield-based Pennine Canoe Club and Paddle UK joined forces with the MP for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater, as well as other volunteers and local residents, to remove litter from canals and rivers in the area.

Tidying mission at Mirfield river as part of nationwide Big Paddle Clean Up

Work has commenced on a new housing development in Birstall.

Work starts on new housing development on former railway site

Yorkshire Water is to pay out a total of £2.35million to fund environmental improvements after a series of pollution incidents - including at Cockleshaw Beck in East Bierley.

Yorkshire Water fined after unauthorised sewage dump into North Kirklees beck

The progress at the site of the new bus station in Heckmondwike.

Building works for new town centre bus station ‘nearing completion’

Kim Leadbeater has welcomed a crackdown on fly-tipping saying the people of Spen Valley have had to put up with waste crime for “too long”.

MP welcomes toughest ever crackdown on fly-tipping

The community of Hanging Heaton came together last week to tidy up a local playing field.

Hanging Heaton community comes together for clean-up operation on playing field

Birstall school unveils brand-new ‘bright and vibrant’ outdoor learning area

The Spen Valley Greenway is set for more improvements in Cleckheaton. Photo by Chris Foster.

Green light secured for more improvements to popular Spen cycle route

A security fence has been put up to protect the pitches at Milton Road, home of Littletown Juniors Football Club.

Security fencing to protect junior football pitches finally goes up

Campaigners and residents are rallying together in Batley to fight against a proposed housing development.

‘Leave us alone’ say campaigners fighting against Batley development plans

Artist's impression of public realm outside Dewsbury Town Hall and the Walsh Building, featuring new greenery and seating, and one possible design for the rail-themed central amphitheatre.

The transformative plans shaping the future of Dewsbury

The former Batley and Birstall RAFA.

Mosque plan revealed for former Batley Royal Air Forces Association Club

Yorkshire Water has completed a major £18million upgrade to Dewsbury Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).

£18million upgrade completed at Dewsbury Wastewater Treatment Works

The vacant Batley Baths.

Kirklees Council offloads more assets as much-loved Batley Baths sold

Neil Jordan House, Dewsbury.

Council to pursue housing plan for former Dewsbury station master’s house

An artist's impression of how Dewsbury Arcade could look.

Dewsbury Arcade revamp reaches ‘historic milestone’

The former Eden Banqueting Suite

Plan to turn former Batley nightclub into hostel still undecided
Plans to turn a former Batley nightclub into a hostel are yet to be determined by Kirklees Council.
Abigail Marlow

Members of Keep Gomersal Tidy.

Councillors form litter pick group as Gomersal ‘dumping’ ground gets tidied

An artist's impression of the Oakenshaw Cross in its proposed new location.

Relocation of cross 'with iconic status throughout Spen Valley' turned down

The former Red House Museum at Gomersal.

Conversion plan for former Gomersal museum gets green light

27 Market Place (the white building to the right of the arcade).

Listed Dewsbury building earmarked for repairs to support arcade plan

Huddersfield Town Hall.

Update on building safety in Kirklees council homes

An artist's impression of the Oakenshaw cross in its proposed new location.

Date set for decision on contentious Oakenshaw Cross move

Plans to build 75 new homes in Mirfield have been branded “dangerous” and “inherently unsafe” by residents and local campaigners.

Community says resounding ‘no’ to ‘dangerous’ 75-new home plan

An artist's impression of the Oakenshaw cross in its proposed new location.

Opinion divided over relocation of historic Oakenshaw Cross

Members of the public are being invited by Kirklees Council to send in naming suggestions for a new street in Liversedge, which will serve a residential development off land adjacent to Halifax Road.

Name suggestions wanted for new Liversedge street

Huddersfield Town Hall.

Challenges laid bare as Kirklees play area costs skyrocket

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