Housing on open land in New Mill has got the green light.

Kirklees councillors backed Jones Homes’ bid to build 29 houses on land off Holmfirth Road but asked for the design to include natural stone. It was passed 10 votes to four today.

They also backed a second phase to build houses on adjoining land, potentially 24. It was passed eight votes vs eight and carried on the chair’s casting vote. There is potential for a third phase, not up for consideration.

Highways say there are plans to put signals at the New Mill junction at a cost of £225,000, met by developer contributions from recent planning applications and other unidentified sources.

Ward councillor Nigel Patrick said: “New Mill junction was described by the highways officer as at capacity or over-capacity.

“It needs £225k to fix the junction and Jones Homes is offering £15,750 for phase one and £11,250 for phase two, that is £27,000 and well short of the amount needed.

The Planning Inspector in the Tesco inquiry raised the road as an issue and concluded that Kirklees Council will not find the remainder and therefore junction improvements will never take place.”

David Cheetham, for Jones Homes, said they appreciate the plan will have a “relatively minor impact” and the junction contribution was acceptable to the council.

Resident Heather Tyler objected, saying: “The significant increase in traffic by the proposed development is unacceptable” and said roads adjoining the New Mill junction are “over-loaded rat runs”.

In the councillors debate, Clr Ken Sims highlighted 181 houses with planning consent yet to be built, with potential for 362 extra cars.

“We will have more problems, even without this if the others ever get built,” he said.

Steve Sampson, highways officer, said they had £39k from another development for the New Mill junction and could bid for extra funding.

Clr Nicola Turner said: “We’re adding 20 houses here and another 20 houses there, yet we’re not asking the council to sort out the problems. From the public’s point of view they cannot understand why we let it happen and neither I can.”

Plans show the first phase of two blocks of terraced dwellings closest to Sycamore Rise and the remainder of the houses detached, with access between two existing houses known as Woodfield and Southfield.

Work is expected to get underway later this year, once drainage consent is given.

As well as the highways contribution, condition includes a contribution towards education of £48,127 was sought, along with a £70,050 boost for open space, plus 10 affordable houses.

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

To follow us on Twitter click here