RESIDENTS will be allowed to speak at a key meeting after councillors made a U-turn last night.

Kirklees Council will decide on the proposed Local Development Framework (LDF) on November 23. The controversial blueprint would allow 28,000 new homes to be built in the district by 2028. The LDF would lead to villages such as Linthwaite and Skelmanthorpe growing by more than a fifth.

Kirklees officers had proposed changing the rules which govern monthly council meetings to prevent residents from speaking at the meeting on November 23. They said the move was necessary to “maintain the proposed timetable of the meeting", which had been due to begin at 3pm.

But councillors last night decided the November 23 meeting will commence at 10am, with residents allowed to speak.

Clr Nicola Turner supported the move at yesterday's monthly council meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall. "I very much welcome that the public will be able to have their say," said the Colne Valley Lib Dem.

Residents will also have the chance to speak on the LDF when the council's Cabinet considers the blueprint on November 8.