A WOMAN who travelled half-way round the world for a planning inquiry has asked to be allowed to build a retirement home near where her children grew up.

Yvonne Curry, who emigrated to Australia from Scholes 25 years ago, was speaking at Huddersfield Town Hall yesterday against Kirklees Council's decision not to let her build two homes at Jackson Bridge.

The 60-year-old said: "I have very strong connections with the area - it's where I raised my two children.

"I have owned land there since 1969 and have retained part of it so I could build a retirement cottage."

But responding for the council's planning department, Les Reason said Mrs Curry's family history should not be taken into account.

He said: "Although we may have sympathy that Mrs Curry wants to return to her roots, this is irrelevant to planning matters."

The council ruled that two small semi-detached homes could not be built at Dobroyd Mill at Hepworth Road as the land lies within the Green Belt.

But Mrs Curry and her husband Ken have spent £5,000 travelling from Brisbane to appeal the decision.

Mr Curry told inquiry chairman Leslie Coop that building on the land was permissible.

He said: "The site is on previously developed land and is surrounded by existing developments."

In response Mr Reason questioned whether Jackson Bridge could be legally classed as a settlement, given the small number of facilities there.

Mr Curry also said that the two houses would add much-needed low-price property to the area.

He said: "One of the houses would be for our use while the other would be for sale.

"There's a very clear shortfall of affordable homes in the Holme Valley."

He called on the council to address the problem.

Mr Curry said: "In Australia people get on with things and get things done.

"The council needs a more aggressive approach to the serious social blight caused by the lack of affordable homes."

Speaking for the council, planning officer Farzana Tabasum said: "While there's a need for affordable houses in the area, we submit that the Currys have not provided evidence that the proposed houses should be classed as affordable."

Later Mr Coop travelled with the inquiry participants to Jackson Bridge for a site inspection.

His decision is expected within five weeks.