Balderstone plan objections

Bellway Homes has again updated its planning application for 135 homes on the site, which includes car parking provisions for the nearby Crossley Fields School.

Coun Steve Benson, who also heads up campaign group Project Mirfield, has said local opinion will only be listened to if more people submit an objection to Kirklees Council by March 23.

He told the meeting of Mirfield Town Council on Tuesday: “If you have a stack of 25 and another stack of 100, you will notice the stack of 100 – it’s as simple as that.

“I feel the more objections we can get in between now and then, the better. We need to get out there and try and influence people to put these objections in.”

Coun Benson believes the plans have insufficient provision for the effect such houses will have on drainage, and traffic near the school.

Fellow campaigner Cheryl Tyler told the Project Mirfield Facebook group of a national day of action on April 12, and urged people at the meeting to come along.

She said: “Large numbers of groups like ours around the country will be protesting against the way that the National Planning Policy Framework is operating.

“It is especially relevant here in Kirklees because the lack of a local plan means that we are more vulnerable to unsustainable developments.

“Save Mirfield with other groups, are joining forces and currently planning our own demonstration. We hope hundreds of people will come along and add to the pressure on all politicians.”

Visit www2.kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning, and search for 2014/91282 to view the Balderstone plans.