Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting and details of substitutions and for whom they are attending.

No apologies were received. 

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4^th December 2025.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th December 2025 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th December 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests, any other interests, or been lobbied, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No disclosures of interest or lobbying were received.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Committee.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were received.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, members of the public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.       

The Planning Committee will consider the attached schedule of Planning Applications.   

Please note that any members of the public who wish to speak at the meeting must register to speak by 5.00pm (for phone requests) or 11:59pm (for email requests) on Monday 12^th January 2026.

To register, please email governance.planning@kirklees.gov.uk or phone the Governance Team on 01484 221000.

Planning Application 2025/92335 - Discharge of details reserved by condition 5 (retaining walls) of previous Reserved Matters approval 2022/91047 for development of 91 dwellings, pursuant to outline permission 2019/90527 (for erection of up to 127 dwellings, with details of access) on land at Blue Hills Farm, Whitehall Road West, Birkenshaw.

Contact: Victor Grayson, Planning Services

Ward: Birstall and Birkenshaw

Estimated time of arrival on site: 11:15 a.m.

Site visit undertaken.

Planning Application 2020/92350 Outline application for residential development (Use Class C3) of up to 181 dwellings, engineering and site works, demolition of existing property, landscaping, drainage and other associated infrastructure Land south of, Heybeck Lane, Chidswell, Shaw Cross, Dewsbury.

Contact: Victor Grayson, Planning Services

Ward affected: Batley East

Delegated to refuse for the reason set out in the report.

The Committee considered a report in respect of Planning Application 2020/92350, an outline application for residential development (Use Class C3) of up to 181 dwellings, engineering and site works, demolition of existing property, landscaping, drainage and other associated infrastructure on land to the south of Heybeck Lane, Chidswell, Shaw Cross, Dewsbury.

RESOLVED –

That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to refuse the application for the reason set out below:

The proposed development, due to its size and proximity to Dum Wood, and due to the increased residential population that the development would introduce nearby, and the insufficient depth of the proposed buffer, together would result in significant intensification in the use of Dum Wood, and unacceptable harm to and deterioration of this ancient woodland and Local Wildlife Site, contrary to policies LP30 and LP33 of the Kirklees Local Plan, and Chapter 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

A recorded vote was taken, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 42(5), as set out below:

For: Councillors Armer, Homewood, Lee-Richards, Pinnock, Scott and Sokhal (6 votes)

Against: (0 votes)

Planning Application 2025/92335 - Discharge of details reserved by condition 5 (retaining walls) of previous Reserved Matters approval 2022/91047 for development of 91 dwellings, pursuant to outline permission 2019/90527 (for erection of up to 127 dwellings, with details of access) on land at Blue Hills Farm, Whitehall Road West, Birkenshaw.

Contact: Victor Grayson, Planning Services

Ward: Birstall and Birkenshaw

Deferred.

The Committee considered Planning Application 2025/92335 in respect of the discharge of details reserved by Condition 5 (retaining walls) of previous Reserved Matters approval 2022/91047 for the development of 91 dwellings, pursuant to outline permission 2019/90527 (for erection of up to 127 dwellings, with details of access) on land at Blue Hills Farm, Whitehall Road West, Birkenshaw.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 36(3), the Committee received a representation from Councillor Elizabeth Smaje.

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 37, the Committee received a representation from Andrew Poyner (on behalf of the applicant).

RESOLVED –

That consideration of the application be deferred to a future meeting and that the Head of Planning and Development be asked to negotiate with the applicant, including engagement with ward councillors, on other options such as cladding and green options, for example moss, to achieve a more acceptable, high-quality solution in terms of the visual impact of the wall.

A recorded vote was taken, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 42(5), as set out below:

For: Councillors Armer, Homewood, Lee-Richards, Pinnock, Scott and Sokhal (6 votes)

Against: (0 votes)