New marriage proposal for scenic woods
AN outdoor wedding venue in scenic woods near Huddersfield is applying for permission to operate on a more permanent basis.
Yorkshire Woodland Weddings has applied for planning permission to operate at Cockley Woods off Liley Lane at Grange Moor.
The venue has already launched under restrictions that allow it to operate 28 days per year without needing any planning permission.
But the owners want to increase that and have applied for formal planning permission to Kirklees Council.
The picturesque woods are on green belt land overlooking Whitley, Thornhill and much of North Kirklees.
The proposals include the installation of a number of temporary structures to create a romantic woodland setting.
The owners already have some of the structures, such as a teepee and shepherd’s hut, but have to remove them after each event.
Planning permission would allow them to leave them in place during the summer months that weddings are held.
Drawings submitted to the council show the layout would include a blessing area, a woodland love walk, a seating area with fire pit, a children’s play area, a teepee, bars, catering and toilet.
A document submitted by the applicants says the plan meets the “very special circumstances” test that allows development on the green belt because the wedding venue will create jobs and will do no significant harm to the woodland.
A habitat wildlife survey has found no bats or dangerous plants on the site.
The application comes three years after Charlotte’s Ice Cream at nearby Whitley lost its battle to install camping facilities on its green belt site.
Public consultation runs until January 6.
The plan for Cockley Woods come amid a government review of the UK’s strict wedding ceremony laws.