More time granted for work at Mirfield 25 despite objections from 'harbinger of doom'

Three companies are close to agreeing terms for the Mirfield 25 site.

It was revealed as Kirklees councillors gave the developer more time to begin work on the 12 hectare Leeds Road site

Park Crescent Ltd returned to Kirklees Council seeking a time extension to planning permission for one of Mirfield’s biggest developments.

The company, based in the Isle of Man, was first given planning consent in October 2009 for offices, manufacturing units and a retirement village.

Outline consent lapsed after three years and they need permission to extend it.

The land remains advertised as for sale for £4.5m.

Iain Bath, planning consultant and agent for the developer, told Kirklees councillors on today’s Planning and Highways Committee: “We have three companies with different terms all waiting on approval.”

But there was some opposition to the developer’s request for more time. Robert Halstead, on behalf of Mirfield Town Council, argued that there was a discrepancy in what planning policy permits.

He said: “Bizarrely to approve today will have the effect of delaying employment and development.

“It will put it back a year – you should defer making a decision and apply the sequential test in accordance with the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and bring it back and deal with it properly.”

The sequential test looks at whether development should be permitted out of town centres.

Mr Bath, for the developer, dismissed Mr Halstead’s comments as a ‘Halstead herring’ and said Mirfield Town Council was “a harbinger of doom and supporter of economic recession”.

Clr Andrew Pinnock sought advice from Kirklees officers about the suggested discrepancy.

Jonathan Ainley, Kirklees planning officer, said the sequential test was only needed it if was not in accordance with an up-to-date planning policy.

He argued this decision was made based on the Unitary Development Policy (UDP).

Mr Halstead claimed the UDP was not up-to-date.

Councillors accepted Mr Ainley’s explanation and Clr Pinnock moved to approve a time extension, seconded by Clr Eric Firth.

Clr Christine Smith, chair of the committee, said: “We have a local plan which is up-to-date, this application is for a time extension and there are no significant changes.”

Councillors were unanimous in their vote to permit a time extension for the developer.

Mike Dove, property consultant for Park Crescent told the Examiner: “Park Crescent have owned the site for many years and continue to invest in their intention of developing and building on the site.

“We are in dialogue with several parties and renewal of this existing approval will enable us to  progress that dialogue.

Asked how that fitted in with it being for sale, Mr Dove explained: “We are  talking to potential occupiers for the site and marketing is ongoing."

The development will create around 900 jobs and provide what Kirklees Council has described as bringing “economic benefits to the economy of Kirklees and the wider region”.