THE future of a Huddersfield beauty spot remains in the balance following a marathon planning meeting.
Politicians yesterday clashed over the fate of the Grimescar Valley after Kirklees Council agreed the outlines of a house-building blueprint for the next 15 years.
Labour, the Lib Dems and Greens claimed their compromise ensured all the valley would be protected from development until 2028.
But the Conservatives – the only party to vote against the deal – said it didn’t.
Landowner Edmund Thornhill has vowed to fight on with his bid to totally transform the area with a massive development.
Councillors agreed a deal in principle for the Local Development Framework (LDF) following a 13-hour meeting on Wednesday.
The compromise from ruling Labour party, the Lib Dem, Greens and two independents would allow 22,470 new homes in Kirklees.
The deal would permit 7,640 homes in Huddersfield – but none on green belt.
Councillors claimed yesterday the deal prevented Thornhill Estates from pursuing its plan to build 850 homes in the Grimescar Valley. However, only part of the land is green belt while the other section is classed as provisional open land (POL).
Land classed as POL is designated as having identifiable value as open land but is also judged to be capable of being reviewed for development when infrastructure such as roads and sewers are put in place.
However, Lib Dem leader Clr Kath Pinnock said the compromise ensured there would be no building in the valley.
She said: “Our plan would mean that 34% of new houses in Kirklees would be built in Huddersfield – down from 38% which was proposed by officers,” she said.
“That has a big, big impact. It means that we can save 50% of provisional open land in Huddersfield, including the sites that people really desire like the Grimescar Valley.”
She claimed: “The Tories would only be able to prevent 500 homes on POL at Grimescar if they allowed 500 homes on POL at Castle Hill.”
Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan said: “Our plan protects greenfield sites, unlike the Tory plan which uses all the brownfield sites for employment which would mean more greenfield land for housing.
“It was a Mickey Mouse plan from the Tories, which was designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator.”
But Conservative leader Clr Robert Light denied his party’s proposal would have endangered Grimescar Valley.
He said: “We concentrated on brownfield sites and protected POL and greenfield sites.”
The Birstall and Birkenshaw councillor said his party was the only group to oppose any housing or industrial development on green belt land while the plan by the other parties would lead to 182 hectares of green belt land disappearing under concrete.
“The LDF will come back to council next year and we will be building the campaign to protect the green belt and bring in a more common sense approach.”
The Greens also supported the 22,470 home compromise – despite proposing just 16,200.
Party leader Clr Andrew Cooper said: “We believe that our figures are deliverable, but the advice from officers was that there was a real danger of being over-ruled by the Planning Inspectorate if we went for anything under 22,000.”
Landowner Edmund Thornhill vowed to fight on yesterday despite councillors effectively voting against his plan to develop the Grimescar Valley.
“I am disappointed with the decision, particularly as the Ainley Top strategic location was recommended for inclusion in the LDF Core Strategy by council officers.
“The plan is about addressing the next generation’s future employment and housing requirements.
“I am now taking some time to consider the options. I remain committed to delivering the Ainley Top vision and will continue to engage with the local community and stakeholders about how best to achieve this.”
A COUNCILLOR was given permission to vote against his party line at a crucial planning meeting.
Clr Paul Kane broke ranks by opposing Labour’s proposal for the Local Development Framework (LDF).
The Dewsbury East Labour man voted against his party’s plan because it releases 35 hectares of green belt land for industrial use at Chidswell.
Clr Kane was the only one of the party’s 27 councillors to vote against the plan at Wednesday’s monthly meeting of Kirklees Council.
But Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan revealed yesterday that the Dewsbury councillor had permission to rebel on the issue.
Clr Khan said: “Paul came under some extreme pressure at various public meetings and, unfortunately, he said that he would not vote in favour of development at Chidswell.
"Paul had an exemption to vote for the issues raised by his residents. It’s not a disciplinary matter. Paul sought the consent of the Labour group to speak for his residents and the consensus was that he should be given that.”
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