Homes scheme ‘must provide vital facilities’
COUNCILLORS in Dewsbury are pushing for the massive Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme to be built in phases to ensure local people do not miss out on facilities.
Labour trio Masood Ahmed, Nosheen Dad and Gulfam Asif say developers need to be held accountable for what they build and to not be allowed to skimp on key infrastructure such as schools and GP surgeries.
The Dewsbury Riverside project - a flagship development within Kirklees Council’s Local Plan - will eventually see 4,000 houses built on a vast swathe of land at Thornhill Lees between Ravensthorpe and Mirfield.
Approximately 1,869 homes will be built over the next 11 years on 70 acres of councilowned land.
The first stage of the plan will involve the demolition of a mosque and playgroup, and the removal of allotments, which will be replaced at a cost of £750,000.
The remaining 2,131 homes will be built after the council has bought a further 11.5 acres of land, which is owned by the Diocese of Leeds, part of the Church of England.
Over the next two years the council will spend just over £1m removing the allotments, creating an access road into the site and drainage.
Clr Ahmed, who with his colleagues represents Dewsbury South for Labour, said they had worked extensively on the proposals for the Ravenshall allotments off Lees Hall Road, and specifically the “central gateway” into the land.
“We have expressed a specific desire to ensure that the first phase of the development results in benefits for the local community through on and off-site provision.
“We have been instrumental in helping and supporting with the masterplan through local community events and dropin sessions.
“At these meetings we have discussed with [building consultants] Spawforth Associates key issues such as highways, walking and cycling routes, drainage, schools, a doctor’s surgery, community infrastructure, the type of houses and how employment might be created.”
Clr Gulfam Asif added: “We wanted this to be personal as all three of us have pushed this through, making sure that is what the residents want, not just the council.
“The first phase will have social housing along with private.
“One key issue we have pushed is that this is done in stages, so there’s accountability and work to be completed before they move to the next site.
“Too often these sites tend to leave things have half-completed such as roads and footpaths. The Riverside is going to start next year and will take around 20-plus years to complete.”
A report on the proposals was approved by the council’s decision-making Cabinet.