‘Accident waiting to happen at Mirfield’ TRIO OF COUNCILLORS WARN OF RISKS WHEN DEVELOPMENT GOES AHEAD

by Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee, Mirfield Conservative councillor Martyn Bolt said his and other opponents’ role was to manage the situation for local residents.

“There wasn’t much chance of stopping the juggernaut but we can slow it down,” he said.

He had called for the scheme to be deferred, claiming that there was insufficient detail relating to HGVs in the developers’ plan to allow for a decision to be made.

There was debate around the access roads into the site which exit on to the A62 Leeds Road. Clr Bolt called for the junction of Sunnybank Road, Child Lane and the A62 to be remodelled in advance of anticipated growing use by HGVs.

He was backed by fellow Tory Clr Donald Firth, who said to approve the scheme, with its associated traffic implications, before all details were confirmed was “putting the cart before the horse.”

He added: “What is going to happen if we build these units and noone wants them? If no-one wants them are we going to put houses on there? No-one is interested in putting their name down for it.

“We are agreeing to something but we don’t know what’s going to happen once they start building these units. I hold with things being done properly, not half-cock.”

Clr Donna Bellamy went further, saying: “That junction is an accident waiting to happen.”

Planning officers said banning HGVs from local roads “would be difficult” but that they would listen to members’ concerns.