Planning issues take centre stage

A crowd gathered in St George’s Square in Huddersfield on Sunday as part of the National Day of Action organised by Community Voice on Planning.

The march was attended by various organisations, including member groups of Kirklees Community Action Network.

Tina Newsome, who was one of the organisers, said: “We want local politicians and government to listen to the local people’s voice on planning issues – as they don’t feel they have been listened to in the past. As the local and national elections draw closer, minds are obviously focussed as Kirklees councillors and parliamentary candidates from several parties attended.”

Save Mirfield chairwoman Cheryl Tyler was among the speakers at the rally.

“The council are signing greenfield land over to developers, despite us having so many brownfield sites that are not being used,” she said.

“Different areas have different problems and, though we all know we need more houses to be built for people, the policies have been made by people in Westminster who think everywhere is like the south east.”

As well as arguing that houses should be built on brownfield land, she said not enough was being done by developers to provide affordable housing.

“Obviously, I am not saying we should all live in tiny little boxes,” she added. “But the type of house is important too.”