A MAN has finally won the go-ahead to turn his land into a green cemetery.
Businessman Michael Brook's victory came after battling for almost four years.
He will be limited to five burials a week in the large grounds of his home at Birkby Hall Road, Birkby.
Bodies will be laid to rest in simple shrouds and in areas without headstones.
Headstones would be banned, to leave room for flowers and trees.
Mr Brook previously claimed he had been inundated with calls and letters backing his idea.
The plan was rejected in the past because of fears over traffic problems.
Governors of nearby St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in George Avenue had also objected - claiming it would be "unpleasant" for children to see the burials.
Now Mr Brook has won permission after agreeing to switch access away from the school entrance to Birkby Hall Road.
The five-acre grounds - which are meadowland at present - could hold 4,000 bodies.
Mr Brook's wife Susan said today: "We are delighted to get approval after such a lengthy debate and would like to thank all our supporters.
"There is still a lot of work to carry out as we could not do anything until we knew the outcome of the planning application.
"We will be producing brochures and will have a series of open days for funeral directors and the public to view the grounds.
"This will be a wonderful facility for the people of Kirklees in a lovely natural area."
Approval for the burial ground came at Kirklees Council's Huddersfield area planning sub- committee.
Chairman Clr Ken Sims said: "We have put on certain conditions to ensure there is no nuisance."
