Controversial plan study

Jan 12 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A CONTROVERSIAL community centre has moved a step closer.

Parish councillors are now considering a feasibility study into the proposed centre at Back Lane in Grange Moor.

Kirkburton Parish Council voted to spend £5,900 on the research in September.

The centre got the green light from Kirklees Council in June despite opposition from some local people.

Former parish councillor Roy Dobson led complaints, saying the artificial stone building would be out of keeping with houses on Back Lane and would encourage anti-social behaviour.

But John Peters, chairman of the Grange Moor Community Action Group, denied both points. He added that opponents of the community centre were in a minority.

Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen Planning Subcommittee gave planning permission at a stormy meeting in June.

After angry exchanges between supporters and opponents of the scheme, the plan was put to the vote. Six councillors voted in favour and six against.

Subcommittee chairman Clr Paul Kane then used his casting vote to green light the community centre.

Before the meeting protestors gathered 293 signatures against the development. Wakefield MP Mary Creagh also wrote a letter of objection.

In April a meeting to address residents’ concerns about the centre had to be abandoned after an hour because of persistent shouting and interruptions.