Why Chidswell matters to us!

Followers may well be aware of the proposal via Kirklees Councils LDF for 1500 houses and 35 Hectares of Industrial Units on Greenfield and Greenbelt land at Chidswell in Dewsbury. Some local residents may shrug their shoulders and say "so what - its doesn't impact on us." But it does!

The first problem is the lack of sustainability at the location. Dewsbury Road already gets horribly congested and having additional traffic - both residential and industrial - will increase congestion along with pollution levels. It will add traffic to Tingley Roundabout which is already one of the worst accident black spots in the area ( and one of the reasons for the recent refusal of the McDonald's Takeaway planning application)

Secondly it will put greater demand on local high school and primary school places with Woodkirk High and Hilltop and Westerton Primaries in the firing line. All such schools are presently full and the controversy would be horrendous if local Tingley and Morley children were displaced to accommodate kids from Dewsbury.

Thirdly we have large sections of local industrial estates, such as at Howley Park, half empty that can accommodate new industry without digging up a single blade of grass. It is absolutely bonkers to be proposing development of greenfield sites while other capacity exists.

Fourthly the housing allocation is based upon the barking proposition of targets agreed by the last Labour Government (including Ed Balls MP) and supported by the local Labour Party in Morley which inevitably means ripping up greenfield sites! Normal people recognise that brownfield sites need to be developed first and that we have enough brownfield land to accommodate housing growth at its present rate to last for over a decade.

And what about the Labour Party on this issue? Labour controlled Kirklees Council backs the proposal. The six Labour Councillors that cover the area in Leeds refused to turn up to a recent public meeting and their silence is deafening on the matter. Our very own Labour Councillor Neil Dawson backs the RSS targets so supports the proposals to rip up greenbelt land.

What can we do? This is not a done deal. Objections can still be lodged and MBI Councillors will be joining the rally against this proposal next Saturday on the 11th November. We have also asked to address the full Council Meeting at Kirklees where the final decision will be made.

It a question of keeping battling!