Liberal Democrat councillors in Almondbury have called for more “openness and transparency” over plans for picturesque former farmland in the shadow of Castle Hill.

The councillors say Kirklees Council has sold a 17th century Grade II-listed farm but has kept a swathe of the former farmland.

Some of the land will be used to extend ancient woodland while the rest will become “scrubland”, say councillors Alison Munroe, David Longstaff and Paola Davies.

There is a fear among local people that “scrubland” could come under the new Government’s definition of “grey belt” which could eventually open up the land for housing.

Clr Munroe said: “The Woodsome Valley and Lumb Valley are beautiful and pristine and are going to be ruined. Kirklees Council is trying to push this through under the radar and we need more openness and transparency.

“We don’t have a problem with the tree planting but local people are rightly concerned about the creation of scrubland. They are worried sick that as ‘grey belt’ the council could develop the valley.”

Clr Munroe said Fletcher House Farm in Lumb Lane, which had been in the same tenant farming family for more than a century, had been sold off by the council as part of a sale of land and property to tackle its £47 million budget deficit.

 

 

According to the Mark Jenkinson property website the four-bedroomed 17th century farmhouse, outbuildings and 11 acres of land failed to sell at auction but was sold later. The councillors say the original farm had around 85 acres of land and the rest has been retained by the council.

Clr Munro said there had been no public consultation into the creation of the woodland and scrubland and when she had challenged the council they said there was no obligation to consult the public.

However, an information drop-in session was held for the Almondbury scheme at Stirley Farm at Berry Brow. There were two projects at Stirley Farm but both being run by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and not Kirklees Council.

The Almondbury councillors say they were only informed of the ‘consultation’ two days before it went live.

Clr Longstaff said: “While the council arranged a so-called ‘drop in’ at Stirley Farm in Berry Brow, this is not part of the Almondbury ward and many residents do not even know where it is. Neither was the event well-advertised.

“The council have told us they are not bound to hold a public consultation but have not provided sufficient reasons.

“Other councils have held public consultations for such projects so this is a concern and does nothing to enhance faith and trust in the council. Residents feel helpless, they need assurances and so do we.”

 

 

Last autumn when plans to sell the farm first emerged, council officers agreed to meet the Almondbury councillors but not concerned local people.

Clr Davies said: “At the meeting in November we were told that the project was in its early stages.

“They said there was little information to share with us, other than the land was to be transformed to include some woodland planting, the creation of species-rich meadows and replanting of hedgerows which had previously been removed.

“The current proposals don’t seem to match what we were told. We are not against the planting of trees and woodland, as it is important and necessary to help fight climate change, but local residents also have a right to a fair consultation and we need answers.

“It’s clear now there was a long-term plan all along for the farmhouse and fields and ward councillors and residents are the last to know.”

The three councillors want council leader Carole Pattison and Cabinet member for the environment Clr Munir Ahmed to attend a public meeting with residents.

 

 

In a statement, Clr Ahmed said: “Following the release of proposals to extend ancient woodland in the Almondbury area, the local community was invited to submit feedback through an online form.

“In addition, a public drop-in session was held to further support the engagement process with attendees encouraged to submit their thoughts via the online form.

“This took place in a suitable event space close to the project boundary and was well attended, with the venue at capacity.

“We understand the concerns which have been raised by residents and councillors through this engagement process.

“The council is in the process of collating and reviewing all the feedback with the intention to make improvements and amends to the scheme where appropriate to achieve the best possible outcome.

“Officers will continue to engage with the local community and councillors, as this progresses through the council’s governance processes, helping to shape the final proposal before moving forward with the scheme.

“This scheme forms part of the council’s wider ambitions to increase its tree canopy cover by 2050 as part of its Clean and Green priorities.”

 

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