‘Disney flats’ plans turned down

Mar 21 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A PLAN for new student flats has been turned down.

Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee refused permission yesterday to developers Watkin Jones, who wanted to build the flats on the car park at the corner of King’s Mill Lane and Wakefield Road at Aspley.

They wanted to build accommodation for 484 students in 168 flats. The plan included three blocks of flats between seven and nine-storeys high.

There would have been 10 parking spaces on the site.

Five King’s Mill Lane residents wrote to the council to object to the plan. Among their complaints was the loss of mature trees on Maple Street and an increase in rubbish and anti-social behaviour if students moved on to the site.

The sub-committee backed planning officers’ advice to refuse the plan because it would be over-bearing and out of character with its surroundings.

Clr Royston Rogers was not impressed by the proposed blocks of flats.

The Holme Valley North Conservative said: “They look despicable. I wouldn’t want to live next to that.

“The buildings look like they were designed by Disney.”

Clr Mohan Sokhal also criticised the appearance of the proposed development.

The Greenhead ward Labour man said: “I think it’s too high.

“The developer should come back with something more attractive.”

Fellow Labour Greenhead councillor Barbara Jones said 10 parking spaces would not be enough.