Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme moves a step closer as plans submitted

The first phase of development on the proposed Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme could be a step closer.
Kirklees Council has revealed its latest plans for the first phase of the Dewsbury Riverside housing schemeKirklees Council has revealed its latest plans for the first phase of the Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme
Kirklees Council has revealed its latest plans for the first phase of the Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme

It follows the submission of a planning application by Kirklees Council for works to create site access from Forge Lane and Ravensthorpe Road to land it owns.

Up to 350 homes are earmarked for this section of the overall scheme.

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As part of its controversial Local Plan the council intends to build more than 4,000 houses on a vast swathe of land at Thornhill Lees between Ravensthorpe and Mirfield.

Kirklees Council has revealed its latest plans for the first phase of the Dewsbury Riverside housing schemeKirklees Council has revealed its latest plans for the first phase of the Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme
Kirklees Council has revealed its latest plans for the first phase of the Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme

The 70 acres of land off Ravensthorpe Road, which is council-owned, is earmarked for approximately 1,869 homes to be built over the next 11 years.

It will involve the demolition of a mosque and playgroup, and the removal of allotments, which will be replaced at a cost of more than £1m. Construction on new plots is scheduled to start before the end of this year.

The remaining 2,131 homes will be built after the council has bought a further 11.5 acres of land, which is owned by the Diocese of Leeds, part of the Church of England.

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The council’s “hybrid” application has been submitted to its own planning department. It requests full planning permission for engineering works, drainage and utilities connection “for the provision of site access” from Forge Lane and Ravensthorpe Road.

It also asks for outline planning permissions for up to 350 homes and a mixed-use development with community facilities.

Assuming that the council will not refuse its own application, it will then set up another public consultation on the scheme.

Coun Peter McBride, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said the Riverside application “marks an exciting step forward for this development”.

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His colleague Coun Cathy Scott, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said she was “pleased to see progress” on the huge scheme.

“With Dewsbury Riverside we’re creating something truly unique and innovative, with the good-quality housing we need, in a new community, complete with the facilities and infrastructure needed alongside it," she said.

"This exciting development will not only help us meet the growing need for quality housing but will also encourage those living there to lead healthy lives by making use of the large amount of public green space.”