‘Crucial’ meeting looms as Birstall asks for more say in its future

In November of last year, Birstall and Birkenshaw ward councillors Josh Sheard, Liz Smaje and Mark Thompson – who was a Kirklees councillor at the time – launched the forum in a bid to give residents more say over what happens in Birstall and where development takes place.

Ultimately, the group will create a neighbourhood plan setting out priorities and rules for the use and development of land in Birstall.

If the plan gets through Kirklees Council’s processes – including an independent check and community referendum – the document would be legally binding and sit alongside the council’s Local Plan.

Several steps have already been taken, with members formally approving the forum’s constitution, and appointing the chair, deputy chair, secretary and clerk at a meeting in February 2026. At the time, more than 60 people were said to have become members.

Now, another important meeting is on the horizon. The annual general meeting will take place on December 1 at 7pm and is to be held at the 1931 Bar at Nelson Street, Birstall.

Here, the group will make further moves towards official designation as a neighbourhood forum and discuss future plans for the organisation.

The meeting has been described as “crucial” by chairman, Coun Sheard, who is encouraging all residents to attend.

Councillor Sheard added: “ Birstall is a village with a proud history, a strong community and its own unique identity. However, as development pressures continue to grow, it is more important than ever that local people have a meaningful say in the future of the place they call home.

“For too long, residents have felt that decisions affecting their communities are being made without their voices being properly heard. A neighbourhood plan gives us an opportunity to change that.

“This isn’t about stopping all development. It’s about making sure development is appropriate, that our green spaces and local facilities are valued, and that Birstall retains its identity as a village rather than simply becoming an extension of the surrounding urban areas.

“Importantly, a neighbourhood plan isn’t just a list of aspirations. Once adopted, it carries legal weight in the planning system, meaning the policies developed by our community will help shape future planning decisions.

“Our ambition is simple: to protect what makes Birstall special, improve what needs improving and ensure that future generations inherit a village they can be proud of. Ultimately, nobody understands Birstall better than the people who live and work here, and they deserve to have a genuine voice in shaping its future.”

The forum has recently concluded its public consultation which asked residents for opinions about where they live and received hundreds of responses.

The management committee will now consider the responses as it progresses work on drawing up a proposed neighbourhood boundary and the formal designation process.