Campaigners from across Kirklees joined forces to protest over the loss of green fields for housing.

As many as 80 people met up in St George’s Square, Huddersfield, today as part of a national day of action.

Organised by the Kirklees Community Action Network (KCAN), groups from across the district came together to send a message to Kirklees Council.

“It’s simple,” said network spokesman Tina Newsome. “Brownfield before greenfield, that’s our message.”

Campaigners from Save Grimescar Valley and Save Mirfield were out in force but other groups from Scissett, Skelmanthorpe, Slaithwaite, Golcar, Holmfirth, Meltham and Dewsbury were also represented.

Protestors braved strong winds and driving rain to show their support for a day of action organised by Community Voice on Planning under the slogan: “Listen to Local People on Planning.”

All 69 Kirklees councillors were invited but only a handful turned up. These included Tories Mark Hemingway (Lindley), Martyn Bolt (Mirfield) and Donna Bellamy (Colne Valley) and independent Charles Greaves (Holme Valley North).

Also there were Colne Valley Parliamentary candidates Jason McCartney (Conservative) and Jane East (Labour) along with Beth Prescott, of Dewsbury, the Tory candidate for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford.

Campaigners met in St George’s Square to listen to three speakers – Robert Bamforth, chairman of KCAN, barrister Naeem Siraj and Cheryl Tyler, chairman of Save Mirfield. The group then walked to Huddersfield Library for more speeches.

Tina, of Meltham, said the last time the group organised a similar rally in 2012 300 people attended.

“There was some disappointment at the turnout this time but that could be a combination of the weather and a feeling that people are being brow-beaten into thinking there’s no point fighting.

“We want to get the message across that we can change things and we shouldn’t give up.”

Tina said she was disappointed at the turnout from councillors and added: “We want them to listen to us.”

Tina said had just received an answer to a question submitted to Kirklees under the Freedom of Information Act which revealed there were 6,210 empty homes in the district.

“These homes should be brought back into the housing stock before we build on green fields,” she said.