‘Threat to Kirklees countryside’

Jan 12 2009 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

‘Threat to Kirklees countryside’

“When the market does improve developers will inevitably cherry-pick these sites. Countryside will be lost for ever and much-needed regeneration in our towns and cities will not take place.

“We are concerned the Regional Assembly has gone to the extra length of selecting sites. We think it should be up to councils.”

Kirklees’s Cabinet member for regeneration, Clr Ken Sims, said he was confident the council and public would oppose plans to develop greenfield sites.

He added: “Unfortunately I’m pretty sure that if the Government sticks to its rigid RSS it would inevitably lead to the development of greenfield sites and there would be uproar.

“There’s no shortage of vacant properties in Kirklees and I wonder if the Government took that into account. I’m not sure they did and it’s worrying.

“I’m pretty confident Kirklees and the public will put up resistance if plans to use greenfield sites come up.

“But the Government can mandate us to do what they want, so we have to try to change their minds.”