School plan would cost allotment holders their plots

LAND THAT has been used as allotments for more than eight decades is to be controversially changed into playing fields as part of plans to build a new primary school in West Yorkshire.

Kirklees Council is expected to agree the contentious change of use for land, at Cemetery Road in Birkby, Huddersfield, at a meeting next week. The move will pave the way for the land to be turned into the playing fields as part of a proposed 420-place school development to serve the area.

But it has further angered allotment holders faced with being turfed off their plots, who say their attempts to offer genuine alternatives have been ignored.

And they have accused the authority of trampling over residents’ rights, claiming that the allotments, which date back to 1935, are a permanent part of the town.

The council says the new school building will be built on the site of Clare Hill playing fields but that vital outdoor space involves taking over allotment space.

Fourteen allotment holders affected by the changes have been offered new plots on land that has been cleared and improved, and there will be four extra plots available for those that need them.

But campaigners say the council is driving through its plans and choosing not to engage with them or high-profile supporters such as Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman.

They point to existing playing fields on the furthest side of the proposed school site, which contain sufficient space to accommodate the planned “outdoor space”.

The Cemetery Road plans will be debated at Kirklees Council’s Cabinet meeting on August 21.