RESIDENTS kept up the pressure at the weekend as a key planning meeting looms.
Last week councillors from all parties announced they would block any building on green belt land in the Grimescar Valley.
The surprise move thwarted the attempt by landowner Thornhill Estates to construct 500 homes in the area.
But campaigners rallied on Saturday to ensure another area of the valley – classed as provisional open land – is also preserved.
Will Bradshaw, of Save Grimescar Valley, said: “It’s great news that politicians of all parties have listened to what local people think.
“But there’s still a proposal to build up to 500 homes straddling the Kirklees Way between Birchencliffe Cricket Club and the Mormon church.
“All the bottom of the valley would be lost to concrete.”
Nearly 100 residents took part in a protest walk along the valley from Birchencliffe Cricket Club at 11am on Saturday.
Brenda Headley, 82, of Birchencliffe, was one of the protesters.
“I love this valley so much,” she said.
“It’s within easy access for people who live in built-up areas, allowing them to enjoy the countryside. “I’ve organised walks along the valley for the University of the Third Age and everyone was amazed there was so much beauty so near the town.”
Kirklees Council will decide on Wednesday whether to allow development in the valley.
Councillors will vote on the Local Development Framework (LDF), a 15-year blueprint which will allocate land for housing and employment.
Kirklees officers had proposed allowing 500 homes on green belt land at Grimescar, along with 350 other homes on provisional open land and five hectares for employment use.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, the Greens and independent councillors all pledged last week to protect the green belt land at Grimescar.
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney praised councillors for coming together on the issue.
Speaking in Birchencliffe Cricket Club before the march set off, the Conservative said: “There’s no way we can ignore the strong feeling on this. We’re unified on this issue and we’re listening to local people.” Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan also spoke at the cricket club before the protest walk.
The Greenhead Labour man stressed the importance of agreeing a legally sound LDF on Wednesday.
Clr Khan said: “Regardless of what we say about local democracy, the planning system is such that a planning inspector will decide if the council’s plan meets national requirements.
“It’s really important that we have a plan that meets housing and employment needs for the next 15 years. We all need to get round the table and have a compromise plan.”
Clr Christine Stanfield told the Examiner her party would try to block house-building on any part of Grimescar Valley.
The Lindley Lib Dem said: “The provisional open land is still at risk but we’re doing our best to keep it out of the plan. It will depend how the vote goes on Wednesday.”
Save Grimescar Valley will hold another public meeting at Birchencliffe Cricket Club at 7.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday).
The LDF meeting begins at 10am on Wednesday at Huddersfield Town Hall.
IT’S a meeting which could shape Huddersfield for years to come – and you can follow every minute of it on the Examiner’s website.
On Wednesday the 69 members of Kirklees Council will vote on a controversial plan which could lead to 25,000 new homes around Huddersfield by 2028.
The Local Development Framework (LDF) proposal also includes building thousands of houses on green belt land.
Kirkburton, Holmfirth, Linthwaite, Scissett and Clayton West, Denby Dale, Skelmanthorpe and Dewsbury would all increase by more than a fifth if the plan goes ahead.
The LDF has generated fierce opposition from some residents, who fear the green fields around Huddersfield could be lost forever.
You can follow the debate live from 10am on Wednesday as our local government reporter Barry Gibson sends regular updates from Huddersfield Town Hall.
Campaigners and concerned residents will make their case first, followed by Kirklees officers.
Finally, councillors will debate and decide which blueprint will get the go-ahead.
And you can join in the debate by having your say on our liveblog at www.examiner.co.uk
We’ll also have lots of background information on the most controversial decision which Kirklees councillors have made in years.
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