Protest at plan for homes in green belt

Around 300 people marched in protest on Saturday against proposals in a planning document which could see 22,500 new homes built over the next 20 years – 1,500 of them on green belt.

Campaigners accused Kirklees Council leaders of “destroying” the countryside.

Retired company director Richard Graham, chairman of Skelmanthorpe Community Action Group, said: “We believe there is no need to build on the green belt as there is adequate provision for house building already in the pipeline and enough brownfield land available to meet future needs.

“We are angry about the process Kirklees has used to push through this plan against the wishes of the people, who have repeatedly shown their objections to it at each stage of the consultation process.

“Kirklees has brought forward the final meeting to ratify the plan to March 6 but only released the plan to the public a few days ago, giving people little time to study the plan and prepare reasoned responses.”

Dewsbury’s Chidswell Action Group is fighting plans for 500 homes and the creation of space for business use.

Businessman Rod Lilley, chairman of the group, said the plans would destroy green belt and create “urban sprawl”.

Council leader, Labour’s Mehboob Khan said the proposals would release just one per cent of the green belt over 20 years.

The council says new homes and jobs are needed to cope with a growing population. A Government inspector will have the final say on the plans in 2013.