No need to build any new homes in Kirklees

Martin Bell, former broadcaster and MP, Clive Lloyd, former cricketer, Van Morrison, singer

Richard Gere, actor Edwin Moses, former athlete, Glenn Tilbrook, rock musician Todd Carty, actor, Debbie Gibson, singer, Padraig Harrington, golfer, Chris Tucker, actor, Andrei Medvedev, former tennis player, Ian Harte,footballer, I see that the predators have descended at last like a swarm of ants on Crosland Park in Linthwaite.

This area of land designated as an environment amenity and wildlife passage between the old Huddersfield boundary through to Slaithwaite and beyond in the then UDP became a vital lung for the Colne Valley and a haven for the varied wildlife such as the fox, badger, deer and birds of all kinds. So much for a caring council! There is absolutely no call for these houses at Crosland Park.

“The bulk of the site is situated outside any area allocated for development in the Colne Valley Local Plan.

“There is no justification for such a large scale residential development and the proposal would be located on a prominent hillside leading to coalescence of adjoining communities.”

The council’s own words, dated July 26, 1991. Please tell us what’s changed?

Nothing has changed in the area that so manifestly stopped the development in the valley for the last 30 years ie no work, no schools, not enough doctors, no facilities for young and old, overcrowded and congested roads.

There is really no call for houses in Kirklees. Everywhere you go there are houses up for sale. Indeed, the person selling may be upgrading to one of the new houses. This only ensures that we have another empty house. I agree with Allen Jenkinson in his assessment of Margaret Thatcher - not forgetting John Major who continued her policies and was responsible for PFI which causes so much pain to the people of Huddersfield.

Blair should never have been leader of the Labour Party.

In a recent interview he spoke of his acting skills and this is what he was, a glamorous actor!

I have met him a few times and each time was unimpressed.

He was a disaster for this country.

Of course Brown must take his share of the blame but as a young man he was exceptional going to Edinburgh University at 16 and becoming Rector at 21.

He was a politician to his fingertips and l agree that, along with others, he saved this country from financial disaster.

Had Clegg and others formed a coalition with Brown in 2010 I believe we would have been spared the disasters and machinations of Cameron and May and thus avoided becoming the laughing stock of the world.