‘Yes’ to 252 homes on ex-green belt?
A L ARGE housing estate on the edge of Huddersfield looks set to be given the green light.
Kirklees Council planning officials have recommended a 252-home development at Fixby be allowed.
But they have insisted that the housing firm behind the plan off Gernhill Avenue agrees to a six-figure sum of financial contributions to Kirklees taxpayers, including £82,000 improvements for the Bradley Bar roundabout.
Council officials have also demanded £493,000 for local schools, £124,000 to subsidise bus passes for residents and £10,000 to improve drainage in the area.
The proposal will be decided by councillors on the Strategic Planning sub-committee next week.
At the time it was first proposed, the 10 hectare (24 acre) plot of farmland by the M62, was green belt.
But it has now been adopted as housing site in the council’s controversial Local Plan.
A council report reveals a large number of objections were received about the plan by Harron Homes.
It says 126 letters were received, most raising concerns about the development of the green belt, traffic and over-subscribed local schools and services.
Council planners say they have secured a number of improvements to the scheme through negotiations, including improved parking, protection of ancient woodland, additional planting and landscaping and better distribution of the low-cost affordable homes.
Harron Homes’ plan states it aims to build a range of houses from two to five-bed.