Four storey apartment block to be build in Cleckheaton of elderly people

But questions have been asked over whether they will benefit people living locally.

The four-storey extra care facility is earmarked for four acres of council-owned grassland off Kenmore Drive.

It will be run by Housing 21 with 61 apartments set for affordable rent and 19 for shared ownership

The block of one- and two-bed apartments was unanimously approved at Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee despite concerns over access and the loss of the “wild” open space, which is north-west of the town centre.

The project received the support of Coun John Lawson (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton), who said there was a “dire shortage” of affordable rent housing in the area.

He added: “This particular model prioritises local elderly residents on the authority waiting list rather than private sector.”

His ward colleague Coun Andrew Pinnock said the land had been designated for some kind of development since 1954. Initially a school was mooted followed by housing.

He said: “The important thing is getting the right development on this site” but recognised that narrow Kenmore Drive presented problems around access and parking.

Coun Nigel Patrick (Con, Holme Valley South) said the split between rental and shared ownership meant that the apartments would not go exclusively to people currently living in and around Cleckheaton.

He said: “We all get a warm glow when we think that we’re helping local people in our wards to be able to get a roof over their heads.

“I’ve learned recently that of the 21 affordable units built in my ward only one has gone to somebody living in the ward. I think that is pretty poor.

“I would have a word of caution to the ward councillors. Your expectation is that this facility goes to local people and I hope it does, but if it’s possible there should be a preference to Cleckheaton people.”

A council officer said planning policy did not allow the authority to specify “end occupants” of affordable housing.

In response Coun Patrick said the extra care facility could end up housing people from other parts of the country, and not Kirklees. He suggested that that indicated the council’s Local Plan was not working.

He said: “There’s quite a distinct possibility that [local] need will not be fulfilled by this development.

“I think it’s a crying shame.”

The committee voted unanimously in favour of the scheme.