“These fields are lifesavers,” say Huddersfield residents who oppose plans for 82 homes

A controversial Netherton planning application with almost 100 representations is to be decided next week.

If Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee gives the go-ahead on Thursday (May 16), 80 new homes will be brought to an area of ​​pasture off Roslyn Avenue, around 500 meters from the village centre. The Beaumont Arms pub is to the south of the site and Dean Wood is to the north, including an area of ​​ancient woodland.

Under the proposals from KCS Development Ltd, there would be a mix of one to four bedroom detached, semi-detached and terraced homes, plus a block of six flats. Each would have off-road parking, a garden, and some would come with garages.

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This application is seeking ‘outline’ planning permission, which means another will need to be determined at a later date. The current proposal considers access and amenity, with issues of layout, fit-out and scale to make up the subsequent application.

Historically, the site belonged to the green belt, but this changed when it was allocated in the Local Plan. The plan highlights the site’s “constraints” as potentially contaminated land, being in an area that affects the setting of Castle Hill and the proximity of the Deanwood Local Wildlife site.

Netherton residents voiced their fears about the plans, with 96 comments submitted to the council. They cover a wide range of concerns, including impacts on local wildlife, pressure on amenities and potential traffic issues.

One resident wrote: “The fields are a green lung for the community. Many people do fine and vital exercises on them. They were a lifesaver during the lockdown, especially for me. There are many dog ​​owners, many elderly people who use the fields every day. Their needs should be respected.”

Another said: “The main road into town is very congested at peak times and the alternative is the rat through South Crosland on a narrow road which is not fit for purpose and is a hazard to pedestrians, especially school children. The road network here is inadequate for the additional car journeys generated by the proposed development.”

However, the developer says the plans will improve the area. A document as part of the application says: “The designs have been informed by local knowledge, a character study of adjacent properties and with reference to specific planning policies to ensure that the overall development is of a high quality and contributes significantly to the improvement local area.”

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