Councillors given final say on Mirfield 25

Jun 16 2009 By Dave Himelfield

THE FATE of a controversial development plan will be decided by Kirklees Council.

The council will have the final say on whether to grant permission for the Mirfield 25 development.

Plans for the business park and retirement village off Leeds Road were passed to the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber (GOYH) for a review.

But GOYH has decided not to intervene leaving Kirklees Council with the final decision.

Commenting on its decision, GOYH said the wider implications of the plan were not sufficient to warrant outside intervention.

Protesters, however, have insisted they will fight on despite a recommendation from Kirklees officers to accept the proposals.

Rick Webzell is chairman of Action Group Mirfield 25 (AGM25) which has fought the development for three years.

Clr Webzell, of Mirfield Town Council, said: "I’m extremely disappointed. But after five years we are not lying down. We are going to carry on fighting.

"We really thought the Government would decide on this without passing it back. We are disappointed they couldn’t make a reasonable decision.