Battle to save Newsome Mill and ponds
May 14 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
CAMPAIGNERS who successfully opposed plans to build on disused mill ponds are facing a fresh fight to protect them.
Kirklees Council last year rejected a planning application by Bloor Homes to build 28 houses and flats on land between Newsome Road, Hart Street and Naomi Road in Newsome.
But the company has now lodged an appeal with Government watchdog the Planning Inspectorate.
They claim housing on the site is preferable to using green belt land.
Action group Newsome Ward Community Forum opposed the original planning application.
Marketing and campaigns co-ordinator Diane Sims said: “We were half expecting them to appeal, but we are still very disappointed because there’s such high demand for that land to be used by the local community.
“They don’t seem to have taken that into account and don’t seem to respect that it’s part of the Newsome Mill site.
“People feel quite strongly about it because it’s a key part of our local history.”
Objectors to the original plans were worried that they would have an impact on the grade II-listed mill.
They were also concerned that it would harm local wildlife, cause congestion problems and potentially lead to flooding in properties in Newsome and Primrose Hill.
The community forum wants the greenfield land site, which used to be an allotment, to be set aside for residents to be able to grow their own food once again.
