The Battle for Chidswell Greenbelt

Morley Borough Independents support Chidswell Campaigners at Kirklees Council Meeting 

Morley Borough Independent Councillors have joined with campaigners form Chidswell in Dewsbury to oppose a new housing scheme proposed by the Church Commissioners for a 1500 house housing estate on greenbelt land at Chidswell close the border with Tingley. The proposal, which campaigners found lodged deep in supplementary representations to Kirklees Councils LDF Core Strategy, proposes a larger scheme than previously which was for industrial units and 500 houses.

Cllr Shirley Varley said “This is bad news for Morley and bad news for Tingley. An additional 1500 new houses at this location will mean Dewsbury Road becoming even more congested, local schools - especially Woodkirk High School - will become overwhelmed with students from outside the area and local health centre’s will be unable to cope.”

The new proposal will be considered at a public examination by a Planning Inspector later in the year where Morley Borough Independent Councillors and Morley Town Council are scheduled to speak against the plan.

Cllr Robert Finnigan said “The Church Commissioners seems to be putting profit before people. This is greenbelt land enjoyed by many residents in and around the Morley area. If we add these proposed 1500 housing units to the 7000 plus housing units proposed by Leeds City Council along the Dewsbury Road corridor then its clear local schools, roads and health centre will be unable to cope. Both Leeds and Kirklees LDF plans are not sustainable and we will campaign hard with our colleagues at Chidswell to make sure we do everything we can to block these proposals.”