LANDOWNERS could be in for a bonanza if a controversial house-building plan goes ahead.

Kirklees Council wants to allow 3,600 new homes in the green belt – causing prices to rocket.

Residents are currently being consulted on the Local Development Framework (LDF), which would see 28,000 new houses by 2028.

The council plans to allow 3,600 of these homes to be built on green belt land which is currently protected from development.

The LDF proposes allowing 900 houses on green belt land at three sites in Huddersfield – Ainley Top, Bradley and Almondbury.

There would also be 200 new homes on protected land in Honley, 2,300 in south Dewsbury and 200 at Chidswell outside Batley.

Retired architect Arthur Quarmby, of Holme, contacted the Examiner to point out that the LDF could lead to a surge in land prices.

He said: “With regard to the proposal to release vast areas of green belt land for development, Kirklees planners are well aware of the money involved. The green belt land is worth about £6,000 per acre, but that with consent that figure rises to about £500,000.”

Mr Quarmby added: “Kirklees intends to get a substantial part of that money for itself – to compel developers to pay the council very large sums indeed for their planning approval.”

A council spokeswoman said Mr Quarmby’s figures for land prices were accurate, but he was incorrect to claim Kirklees would make a large amount of money from the development process.

She said: “In relation to the values Mr Quarmby attributes to green belt land with and without planning permission, our planning colleagues understand these to be broadly accurate.

“However, any receipt from the sale of green belt land for development goes to the owner of that land and not to the council.”

The spokeswoman added that the only money generated for the council would come from planning fees.

She said: “The planning application fees charged by the council follow the statutory framework, according to the size and type of development proposed.

“Any suggestion that the council is able to charge developers whatever it likes is false.

“Planning fees are payable at the time the application is made and not at the point at which permission isgranted.”