Residents helped fight off housing plans for a Golcar field.

But they’re preparing for the developer to appeal after he asked Kirklees councillors to reject his proposals rather than be forced to re-think them.

Councillors on Huddersfield’s Planning Committee threw out Steve Wilkinson’s plan to build on a field at Hall Ings, off Ashford Park.

Bizarrely, access to the 19 houses would be via the driveway of an existing house on Ashford Park, and residents say it leads to a piece of ‘marshland’ which is unsuitable for development.

Mr Wilkinson urged councillors to support it, saying: “The site is well located in terms of its proximity to services and other residential developments in the area.”

He said a “technical solution that addresses the output from the site” would deal with the surface water issues.

Councillors on the planning committee disagreed with Clr Andrew Cooper saying: “Access may meet the rules but it is by no means ideal.”

Clr Ken Sims said the limit for access off a private driveway was seven houses, while Clr Mark Hemingway added: “I don’t think we should allow anything that will mean a car has to reverse into a cul-de-sac because there’s something coming the other way and there isn’t room for two cars.”

After a discussion among councillors, the applicant was asked if he would be happy to try to resolve some of the committee’s concerns over access but he replied that he would “take refusal”.

Members of the planning committee voted for refusal, with two abstentions.

Clr Hilary Richards and residents opposing the development off Ashford Park

Clr Hilary Richards, Golcar Labour, said afterwards: “I am glad the committee listened and understood what the residents were saying about access.

“On the other hand there is always the possibility of an appeal. This is not a good site, the access is not good enough and the site is too wet in the sense extensive drains would be needed.”

Christine Grabowski, who lives at Banks Crescent, which backs onto the development, said: “We are elated, but we definitely think they will appeal.”

Clr Andrew Marchington, Golcar Lib Dem, added: “The land was never intended for housing, that’s why there is no access from Banks Avenue, Banks Crescent or Ashford Park.”