Housing plans for three parts of the Holme Valley will be decided by councillors next week.

And all three are being recommended for approval, including one controversial application which has attracted much opposition.

Barratt Homes want to build up to 100 homes on land at Helme Lane, Meltham.

Stuart Hepworth has returned with a bid to build on land off St Mary’s Avenue, Netherthong - an identical application to one refused by councillors in April; while Rogers Plant Hire is seeking consent for housing at their Riverside Works site on Woodhead Road, Honely.

All three applications are for outline consent, which is to establish the principle to build on the land, and all relate to land designated as Provisional Open Land, which Kirklees Council has been unable to defend without an up to date planning policy.

As a result, Kirklees planning officers have advised Huddersfield’s Planning Committee to approve all three applications.

Planning officers say: “Following the withdrawal of the Core Strategy the Council can no longer demonstrate a required deliverable housing land supply sufficient for five years... There would be no material harmful effect on highway safety, visual or residential amenity.”

For the Meltham bid, the developer is proposing 15% of the homes on the 3.3 hectare site will be classed as affordable, but as it’s a greenfield site the requirement is 30%.

A Public Right of Way crosses the site and council officers say that should be protected, while the developer is being asked to make an off-site contribution of £200,000 for green spaces.

But residents are opposing the application - Meltham Town Council lead the opposition due traffic, drainage and lack of school places concern, while 11 people formally complained, saying there were already unfinished housing estates in Meltham which questioned the need, plus they raised concerns about impact on highways.

Drainage on the land, said by objectors to be very waterlogged, was also raised and both Yorkshire Water and Environment Agency object.

Forty-two residents oppose the Netherthong application, which councillors refused in April and is currently subject to an appeal. MP Jason McCartney has also objected, saying is it not sustainable and the rural village cannot take any more development.

For the Honley application, the local plant hire company wants to relocate to more suitable premises.

Holme Valley Parish Council say they support the application if all houses are classed as affordable, and no public representations have been made.

Councillors will also rule on plans for eight houses on land off Fullwood Drive in Golcar which planning officers recommend for approval; a rear extension at Thanes Close in Birkby (recommend approval); one house on land between 48-52 Greenhill Bank Road, New Mill (recommend refusal); a car repair workshop at Beech Street (recommend refusal); part change of use at The Star pub, Fenay Bridge into a takeaway (recommend approval); Paddock a first floor extension at 307 Woodhead Road, Holme (recommend approval); converting a basement into two flats at 2 Crescent Road, Birkby (recommend refusal); raised decking at 112 Plover Mills, Lindley (recommend refusal).

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