Simon Reevell MP welcomes the proposal to split Kirklees Council and supports the pledge that Conservative Councillors will oppose building on greenfield sites
Posted by Simon Reevell, MP for Dewsbury, at 15:23, Fri 24 February 2012:
Simon Reevell, the Member of Parliament for Dewsbury, has welcomed the proposals to split Kirklees Council into two areas.
The split would create two separate Councils for North and South Kirklees and would merge services with Calderdale.
The proposals come at a time when plans drawn up by Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors could lead to 22,470 new homes being built in Kirklees over the next 15 years. These plans are opposed by Conservative Councillors who have pledged not to build on greenfield land.
After the proposals to split Kirklees were announced, Simon said, “Kirklees has become too big, cumbersome and distant. Last weekend I met with representatives of the Skelmanthorpe Community Action Group (SCAG) and Save our Scissett (SOS) to discuss the controversial Local Development Framework (LDF) plans. Even though a public protest march has been planned for Huddersfield Town Centre on Saturday 3 March, at the moment these action groups are being ignored. The proposals to split the Council will mean that in the future, local views will be heard.”
“Labour and Lib Dem Councillors have to realise that there is significant opposition to the LDF in Kirklees and that there is huge support amongst people who would not usually vote Conservative for the Council to be split. In the lead up to the elections in May, voters are taking notice of the pledge that Kirklees Conservatives have made to oppose any building on green belt land.”
Comments
If you are subscribed to HearFromYourMP in this constituency,
log in to post a reply.
Otherwise, if you live in the UK,
sign up in order to
HearFromYourMP.
Posted by Nigel Reynolds, 17:16, Fri 24 February 2012: (Is this post abusive?) #
Whilst I cannot agree enough with the rejection development of greenfield sites in Kirklees, I see a fundamental illogicality about Mr Reevell's approach.
If the population and demand for housing continues to increase through a combination of rising numbers of births, net immigration, and family break-up, then there will be a need for a lot more houses.
To oppose greenfield development is fine but it needs to be accompanied by a clear and transparent policy on the UK's drift to a population of 70million+ by 2050.
This is a matter that too many politicians duck, yet polls show that c70% of the population (YouGov) do have concerns about the rising population and density thereof.
With world population rising by a billlion every 12 years, we need politicians to speak up loudly and tell us whether they think this question needs attention. Too many are too scared to go near this issue.
Posted by Simon Reevell, 17:43, Fri 2 March 2012: (Is this post abusive?) #
Nigel,
I agree that more housing is needed. The proposals by the Conservatives in Kirklees include plans to build a large number of houses without trespassing on the greenbelt land. The proposals state that "provision will be made for 18,000 new homes" through the implementation of all outstanding planning permissions which have a capacity of 9,600 homes, the reoccupation of 3,500 long term vacant homes and the identification of sufficient land for 4,900 homes.
I support these proposals because they achieve substantial building without reducing greenbelt land.
Kind regards, Simon