Homes plan goes ahead in Linthwaite despite residents’ opposition

Apr 17 2009 By Barry Gibson

NEARLY 200 homes will be built in a village – with a councillor warning of “disastrous” plans for hundreds more.

Planners yesterday approved 191 homes at Black Rock Mills in Linthwaite despite angry opposition from residents worried about extra traffic.

And Clr David Ridgway, who represents the area on Kirklees Council, warned after the meeting that hundreds more houses could be built in the village.

The council’s Huddersfield Planning Subcommittee approved 110 houses and 81 flats on the Waingate site. The mill, which is in Linthwaite Conservation Area, closed in 1965.

Subcommittee chairwoman Clr Linda Wilkinson took the unprecedented step of suspending the meeting for 10 minutes because angry residents continually heckled a planning officer who was outlining the proposal.

When the meeting restarted, the residents were given the chance to speak against the plan.

Trevor Woolley told councillors that the development would bring hundreds more cars to the narrow roads around the mill.

He said: “Should a child be killed because of this committee’s decision, you will never be forgiven.”

Ian Baxter, who lives on Stones Lane next to the mill, told councillors that the disused site should be put to a better use.

He said: “I’ve lived in Linthwaite all my life and I can probably see more of the mill from my house than any other property. I’m in favour in principle of developing the site, there’s no alternative or the mill will fall to pieces.