A DEVELOPER has defended plans for 28 new homes in Huddersfield.

Planners will decide today whether to allow 28 flats and houses to be built at Newsome Mills by Bloor Homes.

Diane Sims of Newsome Ward Community Forum yesterday expressed concern about the loss of green space and mill ponds, on the proposed site between Newsome Road, Hart Street and Naomi Road.

But Bloor Homes’ land manager, Alister Sykes, defended the plan.

He said: “We believe this vacant site in the centre of Newsome, adjacent to shops and public transport, can fulfil an important role in helping to provide some of the 1,700 new homes Kirklees Council has to provide each year.”

Mrs Sims believes the land could be used for allotments and that native crayfish could be introduced to the ponds.

But Mr Sykes disagreed with both points.

He said: “Ecological surveys reveal there are no species of interest in the water tanks, nor are they suitable habitats for native crayfish.

“Furthermore the council has already confirmed that there are already sufficient allotments in the area to meet local need.”

The council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee will decide on the proposed development today.

Kirklees Council’s planning officers have recommended refusing permission to build.