Kirklees Cabinet to decide future of LDF plan

Kirklees Council’s controversial Local Development Framework (LDF) sets out where 22.470 homes could be built and 122 hectares of land could be released for business use.

It would also allow developers to build on green belt land in Chidswell, Thornhill Lees and Cooper Bridge.

The proposal had been submitted for approval earlier this year, but was thrown into chaos after an independent planning inspector raised serious concerns.

The issues raised included housing targets, use of green belt land and whether the council met its duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities.

On Tuesday August 13, Kirklees Cabinet members will decide what action to take in response.

If Cabinet members agree the process should continue, an exploratory meeting will be held with the inspector to look at the issues he had raised.

The alternative is to recommend that the matter be sent to full council for a vote on withdrawing the plans.

Cabinet members had been advised to recommend withdrawal last month.

But they decided to wait until an exploratory meeting had been held about Leeds City Council’s LDF.

It found Leeds had met the duty to co-operate – one of the key issues for Kirklees.

A report by council officers said: “The implications of the Leeds decision have been discussed with group leaders who are supportive of the proposal to hold an exploratory meeting.”