A COUNCILLOR has accused an MP of overstating the number of empty homes.

Conservative Jason McCartney is leading opposition to Kirklees Council’s planning blueprint which would lead to 25,400 new homes in the district by 2028.

The Colne Valley MP claims there are more than 11,000 empty homes in Kirklees – and has urged the council to fill these before allowing building on any green land.

But Clr Nicola Turner yesterday claimed there were far fewer vacant properties.

The Colne Valley Lib Dem said: “I’m quite angry that Mr McCartney either hasn’t done his homework or is deliberately deceiving the public.

“I would like to think that he hasn’t done his homework, in which case, what are we paying him for?

“There may be 11,000 homes in Kirklees which aren’t on the electoral register, but that doesn’t mean they are empty.

“Mr McCartney is asking Kirklees to bring 11,000 homes back into use so we don’t have to build any more houses. That’s totally and utterly misleading to the public.

“It’s rubbish and he shouldn’t be able to get away with it.”