A very controversial planning application for land off New Lane, Cleckheaton is being considered at the next meeting of the Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on Thursday June 4. The application by Strata Homes is for 39 houses on the fields adjacent to New Lane and Pearson Street off Moorside.
Details can be seen at https://kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning The application number is 2014/93073

I have strongly opposed this planning application because the land is defined as Urban Green Space in the Council’s planning policy document. This definition gives the land a good deal of protection from development. It doesn’t prevent planning applications being made though.

There are many very good reasons for the committee to refuse the application for 39 houses. These include:
1. the site is in urban green space and thus afforded protection from development;
2. the negative impact on trees and wildlife on this very important green hillside which is much loved by local residents;
3. the access using Pearson Street is a single width and not acceptable as the access road to the development, especially as the existing properties have no off street parking.

This application needs to be refused. There are plenty of brownfield sites in the area that are crying out for development.