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.”

Clr Turner said Kirklees classed only 3,479 as empty – but even some of these were occupied.

“The Lib Dems have lists for every ward,” she said. “In my ward some of these houses are occupied.

“It could be that people live there short-term and the council tax system hasn’t caught up with them.”

On October 20, Mr McCartney spoke in the House of Commons against the council’s Local Development Framework – which would lead to 25,400 new homes by 2028.

He said: “Kirklees Council has more than 11,000 empty homes. It is madness to keep building on green fields when we have those empty homes.”

Mr McCartney defended the 11,000 number yesterday.

He told the Examiner: “I stand by my figure. As of the end of June this year, there were 11,558 empty or unoccupied homes in Kirklees.

“That includes 3,597 long-term empty properties; 1,044 second homes and holiday homes and 6,917 council exempt properties – which includes houses awaiting sale, within probate, resident in hospital and student accommodation.

“There are obviously different reasons why these properties are empty. It’s about making maximum use of properties.”

Mr McCartney, who beat Clr Turner in last year’s general election, added: “I think she’s still trying to fight the last general election.”

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