Land on the edge of Honley has been earmarked as a potential site for a huge quarrying operation.

The Kirklees Local Plan has identified three separate sites at Seventy Acre Farm, in Meltham Road, as mineral sites.

Seventy Acre Farm is far bigger than its name suggests, and the three sites would cover some 76 acres in total.

Holme Valley North Independent Clr Charles Greaves said he was shocked at the development.

Councillors Edgar Holroyd-Doveton and Charles Greaves
Councillors Edgar Holroyd-Doveton and Charles Greaves

“If quarrying went ahead at these sites it would be a huge quarry, and very visible.

“Whilst we understand the requirement to provide building materials to meet the Government’s housing target, this would be a quarry of giant size and it is only just outside the village.

“Whilst planning officers have told us that there will be strict controls over the operation of the site, a quarry will offer nothing to the village other than noise, dust and disruption.

“Too many questions remain unanswered.

“If they worked a quarry out in smaller sections, set strict controls on extraction and offered some benefit to the village then people might accept it - but we need to know the detail.”

70 Acre Farm, Meltham Road, Honley
70 Acre Farm, Meltham Road, Honley

A number of sites across Kirklees have been identified as mineral sites in the Local Plan.

Mineral planning authorities are required to plan for a steady and adequate supply of minerals to meet future demand, and the Local Plan needs to include suitable sites to allocate for extraction.

To do this, Kirklees must identify and assess potential sites and select the most suitable.

Council officers say a number of checks would be needed at the sites near Honley, including a noise and air quality impact assessment, and appropriate restoration and aftercare will be required as part of any planning permission.

For one of the three sites, a minimum 20 metre buffer zone would be needed to protect Honley Wood from the quarry.

Clr Greaves said: “This sort of situation can leave residents in limbo land, wondering when something is going to happen.

“Before quarrying could start, a company would need to submit a planning application, but the principle of it being a quarry would be established.”

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He is encouraging residents to look at proposals in the Local Plan, which is currently open to public consultation, to understand how they will be affected. The plan sets development policies and sites for the next 15 years and will release large areas of land for housing and employment. It covers all forms of development, with some of the most controversial concerning new housing.

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Is this the right place for a quarry?