Anger at plans for new homes on green belt land

The proposals are included in Kirklees Council’s planning blueprint for a total of 25,400 homes to be built by 2028.

A Conservative councillor in the ward most affected by green belt development attacked the plans as having “no justification whatsoever”. It has also emerged the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Kirklees Environment Partnership (KEP) both withdrew their involvement in a key working group developing the proposals, after alleging the council had failed to disclose information to the public.

The green belt areas affected are in south Dewsbury where 1,500 new homes are envisaged, Chidswell, where 500 are planned, and Ainley Top, in Huddersfield, a site for a further 500.

Coun Kizar Iqbal, who represents Dewsbury South, objected on principle and added that the scale of development was simply unsustainable. With a further 2,000 new homes proposed on brownfield sites in his ward, he estimated population could double.

He said: “I believe there are more than sufficient brownfield sites to build houses on. I see no reason or justification whatsoever for the council to propose any development on the green belt.”

But the council said the proposals were the result of more than six years’ research and the use of brownfield sites - typically disused industrial areas - would still be promoted wherever possible.

Jacqui Gedman, Kirklees’ Acting Director of Place, said: “Of course, in bringing forward these proposals, we know there are issues of contention, but our challenge is to balance these with the need to ensure Kirklees communities have the jobs, homes and opportunities they will need in the future, and for our economy to prosper.”

The council added that it was “surprised and disappointed” the CPRE and KEP had withdrawn and rejected accusations of a lack of transparency.

A final decision on the blueprint will be made by the full council on November 23.