RESIDENTS cheered last night as councillors threw out a proposal to build on fields in Huddersfield.

Planners dramatically rejected the bid to construct nearly 300 homes on Lindley Moor after a stormy four-hour meeting.

But a second proposal to build a data centre on another part of the moor was passed by the slimmest of margins.

Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee voted eight to seven to refuse Miller Homes permission for 294 houses at Cowrakes Road.

However, councillors backed a proposal to set up a data centre – a secure site for businesses to house their computer servers – on nearby Crosland Road.

Speaking to the Examiner after the vote, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney praised residents for making “compelling” arguments against the housing plan.

Dozens of people crammed into Huddersfield Town Hall’s council chamber for the start of the meeting at 2pm yesterday.

IT professional Sally Craig spoke against the data centre proposal, rubbishing developer Stirling Scotfield’s claim it would generate 150 jobs.

“The only jobs created would be in security. To grant permission would be foolish,” she said.

Keith Wood, who lives at Ainley Top, told councillors the developments would make Lindley Moor Road even busier. “None of us wants this,” he said.

Lindley Lib Dem Clr Cahal Burke told the sub-committee: “The scheme will generate traffic, create noise and air pollution and leave a massive carbon footprint.”

Mr McCartney said Lindley’s schools couldn’t cope with “another 300 families descending on the area” if the homes plan went ahead.

Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan spoke for the developments, saying they were of “strategic importance”.

He told councillors to “vote for jobs and housing and funds”.

Residents booed the Greenhead Labour man when he finished his speech.

Speaking for the data centre, agent Alistair Flatman told the sub-committee there was “a clear need” for employment land in Kirklees.

“This is an opportunity to raise the profile of Huddersfield,” he added.

Sub-committee member Clr James Blanchard said his mind “boggled” at how Lindley’s schools would cope with extra pupils.

The Almondbury Lib Dem added that the data campus was unlikely to bring jobs.

Clr Tony Brice also spoke against both developments. The Lindley Conservative said the area was already “gridlocked”.

Labour’s Clr Molly Walton clashed with members of Lindley Moor Action Group during her speech in favour of the development.

The Crosland Moor and Netherton woman said that if planning permission was refused, the applicants would win on appeal.

The six Labour sub-committee members, Holme Valley North independent Clr Terry Lyons and Almondbury Lib Dem Clr Linda Wilkinson voted for the data centre.

The five Conservatives on the sub-committee voted against as did Clr Blanchard and Golcar Lib Dem Clr Christine Iredale.

However, Clr Wilkinson then voted against the homes plan, meaning permission was not granted.

She explained afterwards she “wasn’t convinced” the development was sustainable.

For a blow by blow account of yesterday's meeting, click onto Page 3 to see our liveblog which followed yesterday's developments live.