Councillors argued over plans to build homes on a steep boggy field near a large school.

A proposal to build up to 20 homes off Gilroyd Lane in Linthwaite, close to Colne Valley High School, was opposed by 33 people.

They were backed by Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors on the Huddersfield planning sub-committee.

Highways and planning officers admitted it was “finely balanced” whether the site was suitable but deemed it was just about acceptable.

Councillors were told the tight turn to access the site, between two existing homes, would be a struggle for a bin wagon, but was just possible.

Neighbours also claimed flooding would be a problem if the field was paved over – with two saying their garages were deluged during the Boxing Day floods.

The committee was told the site, currently grazing land, was already a “quagmire” by Clr David Ridgway, who was objecting in a personal capacity.

Clr Ridgway said drainage from the school, a few hundred metres away, was “never fit for purpose”, and meant consistent flooding for the area.

Former Mayor Clr. David Ridgway

Golcar Lib Dem, Clr Andrew Marchington, said several traffic accidents had occurred nearby, including one where a car was written off.

Clr Gemma Wilson said: “We’re setting ourselves up for a massive fall, for instance what has happened in my ward in Lindley.”

Building was suspended on the Harron Homes site at Crosland Road, Lindley Moor after complaints of flooding from nearby residents.

“We out to think about the people who come after us,” said Clr Donald Firth. “What sort of mess are we going to leave it in.”

But Labour councillors on the committee all voted in favour of the application leaving it deadlocked at seven each.

The plan was therefore approved on the casting vote of the chairman of the committee, Clr Terry Lyons.