Access point to massive industrial site approved
FEARS OVER SCHOOL ‘DANGER’
COUNCILLORS in Kirklees have approved a contentious access point to a massive site on the outskirts of Cleckheaton, which is to become an industrial estate.
The decision was made in the face of significant objections from local people, as well as councillors in Bradford and one of the city’s MPs.
One objector, Charlie Brown, said the transformation of the former Yorkshire Water North Bierley Waste Water Treatment Works had been “dressed up like a pig” by its developers.
And he said residents had been treated with “contempt” in their attempts to overturn the scheme.
The debate that took place at Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday focused on access to the site, which occupies 57 acres between the M62 and the M606.
That access is via Cliff Hollins Lane, which connects to Mill Carr Hill Road, then Bradford Road and finally onto Junction 26 of the M62 at Chain Bar.
The highways issue was described by one speaker as “the most contentious” element of the plan. Objectors raised concerns about congested roads, the “problematic” nature of the Chain Bar junction, and the potentially dangerous implications of traffic on a nearby primary school.
Clr Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) was the only councillor to voted against the proposal and said an alternative entrance to the site was preferable.
He said: “I accept it would be very expensive but at least it would take a lot of heavy traffic away from the village [of Oakenshaw], which has quite enough already.”