Controversial Mirfield housing estate scheme to go back to planning committee

It follows the threat of a legal challenge over the development at Granny Lane in Mirfield, where land just off the road has been allocated for 67 homes by Kirklees Council despite regular severe flooding in the area.

Campaigners have expressed cautious optimism over the move.

Cheryl Tyler, speaking on behalf of campaign groups Granny Lane Area Action Group (GLAAG) and Save Mirfield, said the matter was due to be discussed again in mid-October.

“We have been told the council is aiming for October 14. It will be heard at the Strategic Planning Committee.

“It’s a good thing. I don’t remember anyone getting an application back to committee after it was approved.

“It means we have another chance.”

Residents in Hopton Bottom have continued to fight the controversial scheme since it was approved last December.

The latest development follows intervention from planning lawyers who say the authority made its decision to green-light the scheme based on inaccurate flood zone information.

They argue that the council failed to give proper consideration to a drainage report and that it needs to look at new evidence before it makes its ultimate determination.

They say to not do so would make the decision “unsound and unsafe”.

Mrs Tyler added: “It was approved in December last year but we refused to give up as this is a very unsuitable and badly handled application.

“We found a number of issues that were overlooked and we believe that the committee was misled.

“Had the planning department refused our request to take it back we would have started the process to Judicial Review.”