Stay of execution for 100-year-old house that was set to be demolished

Fieldhead, on Westfield Road in Wyke, is on part of 1.7 acres of land that is earmarked for 10 homes as part of a housing scheme submitted to Kirklees Council.

But members of the Strategic Planning Committee (Aug 26) were less than keen to see the building torn down and asked whether the plan could be amended.

Following advice from planning officers they agreed to defer the proposal and to ask the developer to come back with an alternative scheme.

Coun Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) inquired whether the house, built in the early 1920s, could be retained even though it was not listed.

He described it as “an asset of community value”.

That stance received support from other members including Labour’s Coun Mohan Sokhal (Greenhead) and committee chair Coun Steve Hall (Heckmondwike).

Addressing members’ concerns Head of Planning Mathias Franklin said the building could be viewed as “a non-designated heritage asset”

He said the applicant could be invited to alter its plans accordingly, and to redevelop the grounds but retain the building as per councillors’ wishes.

He commented: “My view is that it would be a fresh planning application because it’s fundamental to this application to demolish [the bungalow].

“We would ask them to withdraw if they’re inclined and come back in and engage with members.”

The application is not allocated within the council’s Local Plan, which will see tens of thousands of new homes built in the borough.