'We can make sure Birstall’s next chapter is written not in Huddersfield, but right here': New neighbourhood forum set to launch
Councillors in Birstall have taken the next steps to have “more say” in what happens in the area.
In a bid to curb issues in the ward, such as the “numerous amounts of vape shops”, plans for the Birstall Neighbourhood Forum were first submitted in 2025, with the goal of giving residents “more say” over what happens in the area.
Founded by Conservative Party councillors Joshua Sheard and Elizabeth Smaje – as well as former Conservative councillor Mark Thompson – the Neighbourhood Plan for Birstall would deal with decisions such as identifying where new homes and shops should go and strengthening Birstall’s high street.
Following successful meetings in late 2025, a public consultation is set to be launched towards the end of July and will run through until September 2026. The goal is to ask where Birstall locals “think they live” in order to draw up a specific boundary for the Neighbourhood Plan.
Speaking with the Local Democracy Service, Coun Sheard said: “The area we are planning to work in is across borders, so it will include areas of Batley West, Liversedge, Gomersal and obviously Birstall and Birkenshaw.
“The plan is to (ask residents) if (they) think they are a part of Birstall, what improvements need to be made and what (local) priorities are for the whole area.
“The local plan will help us to decide what is considered greenbelt, where houses should be located and also to help us with local town centre policies to stop numerous amounts of vape shops and barbers shops.”
If the boundaries are approved by Kirklees Council, the Birstall Neighbourhood Forum would be one step closer to designation, allowing a local plan to be set.
Previously, Coun Sheard explained that the forum’s approval would be an “empowering” step towards helping Birstall “make its own decisions”.
He said: “Over the last few years, we’ve all seen what happens when decisions about Birstall are made by a select few who aren’t even residents, without proper input from the people who actually live and work here.
“The old chemist front was demolished without permission. Clough House has been left derelict for years.
“This isn’t about opposing change, it’s about guiding it, together as local people.
“The Neighbourhood Plan will mean that local priorities carry legal weight when planning decisions are made, giving us a real say in how Birstall grows.
“Together, we can make sure Birstall’s next chapter is written not in Huddersfield, but right here, by the people who live here.”