Uproar over housing plans to increase Linthwaite village by half

Apr 14 2009 By Dave Himelfield

HOUSING plans which could increase a village population by half have caused uproar among residents.

Kirklees Council could build up to 800 more homes in Linthwaite as part of its Local Development Framework (LDF).

The LDF, which has been passed down from Parliament, proposes 37,000 new homes across Kirklees in a scheme also designed to boost commerce and industry in the borough.

In Linthwaite, which in 2008 had 3,910 residents, three sites have been earmarked for development.

Fields between High House Lane and High House Edge, Upper Clough, have been earmarked for 400 homes and The Ridgeways, Lower Clough, has been selected for 200 homes.

Meanwhile Black Rock Mills could be redeveloped by Kier Group with up to 191 homes.

But villagers believe the developments will spoil the town’s semi-rural appearance and put tremendous strain on that part of the Colne Valley’s already stretched infrastructure.

John Garside, 61, from Upper Clough, said: “We are concerned about the size of the development, especially the pressure it will put on sewers and drainage systems.

“There’s a lot of little winding roads and junctions and it will increase traffic and make it quite busy.

“We’re not opposed to something being done, but we’ve been taken aback about how big it’s going to be.