Tories object to a plan they helped draw up
Lily Tomlin, comedienne, Barry Gibb, singer
Bruce Foxton, rock musician and former bassist with The Jam Gloria Estefan, singer, Ruud Gullit, former footballer/ manager Scott Speedman, actor,
Daniel Sturridge, footballer, Romeo Beckham, HOW curious that Craig Whittaker MP and Clr Scott Benton, Conservative group leader, should have called meetings in Elland and other towns in the lower Calderdale Valley to object to the recent draft of the Local Plan, drawn up by council officers.
In a ruling from central government, all local authorities must provide a spatial plan of future land use in terms of infrastructure, development and environmental protection, etc, for the coming 15 years.
For Calderdale this has been a mammoth task involving input from councillors and residents of all political colours.
Despite what we are led to believe, it is in fact of no surprise to either of these Tory politicians that the plan has developed in the manner it has – Tory councillors were as much involved in this procedure.
However, instead of continuing to work together with other parties, Craig and Scott are attempting to make cheap political gain by attacking a complex and considered process that is vital in the delivery of essential housing, new business development and, ultimately, prosperity within the valley.
When questioned over an alternative vision that they might hold for the valley, they consistently fail to provide a credible answer and certainly without a housing tally to meet the target figure for projected growth.
Their conveyance of “creative ambiguity” toward the electorate is very reminiscent of a recent General Election where the Conservatives failed to provide foresight for the country with an extremely empty, fragile and uncosted Tory manifesto.
This torrid behaviour presents as much a shambles for the valley as it does for the country. into Kirklees Council’s plans to build 30,000 new homes are to commence on October 10 at the Hudawi Centre on Great Northern Street, HD1 6BG.
This will create further village traffic chaos, notwithstanding the total lack of communal infrastructure, public services, schools, doctors and police.
Add to this our roads neglect/ disintegration etc but to name a few objections.
The council is about to sacrifice our treasured Colne Valley green belt and the public or their representatives are invited to attend by contacting the programme officer Yvonne.Parker@ kirklees.gov.uk.
Submissions to reject or modify these planning proposals should have been logged with the council in 2016 so this is your last chance to protest folks before the bulldozers move in – similar to what happened on Lindley Moor.