Chidswell and Dewsbury Riverside put forward by Kirklees Council as Investment Zones

The offer was submitted to the Government through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority last month but has received some criticism due to the feared negative effects the schemes will have on the environment.

The Investment Zone initiative was proposed by previous Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng to “drive growth” and “unlock housing” with the aim of boosting the economy on both a local and UK-wide scale. Tax incentives and a liberalised planning process are two of the measures that will be used should the scheme go ahead.

Despite the purported economic benefits, the scheme has been branded an “attack on nature” by multiple environmental organisations including the RSPB. Amongst fears are those that environmental protections will be weakened in the Investment Zones and that local communities will have less say on development projects within their area.

A representative from Chidswell Action Group expressed concern, saying: “The proposed deregulated Investment Zones would be a perfect solution to the planning-nightmare presented by current environmental legislation – assuming you were in support of the proposed development.

“Chidswell and Heybeck are a prime example of sites with complex and rich biodiversity; the area should never have been adopted in the Local Plan.”

Kirklees councillor Andrew Cooper (Green, Newsome) has previously been vocal against Investment Zones saying: “They threaten to ride roughshod over agreed local planning priorities, further damage the environment and nature, and reduce commitments to affordable homes and community facilities.”

Coun Cooper along with fellow Kirklees Greens called for the final decision on whether Investment Zones are implemented in Kirklees to be made by the full Council.

When asked to comment on the proposed Investment Zones of Chidswell and Dewsbury Riverside, a spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “We are at the very early stages of the process on Investment Zones. The council has submitted two expressions of interest through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and we are waiting for the government to decide how they plan to proceed.

“Nobody yet knows the full details of what an Investment Zone might mean for Kirklees or anywhere else. We are simply indicating that we are willing to explore the options for bringing sustainable economic growth to our area.

“The Council is ambitious about bringing investment, skills and opportunities to Kirklees but we won’t do that at the expense of our local environment or quality of life for residents. These are the kinds of issues we will consider if, and when, plans progress.”

Alison Gillespie, of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) provided an update on Investment Zones to the authority’s Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee last week, but admitted there was uncertainty.

She added: “We are still awaiting further information from the Government. There hasn’t been any information yet on next steps or the time scale for assessment. We await further information on whether they will go ahead at all or what the next stage of the process might be.”

It was also said that Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, is reviewing Investment Zones in relation to the possible environmental implications.