Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence, or details of substitution to membership.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Firth, McGrath and Ullah.

Councillor Homewood substituted for Councillor Ullah and Councillor McCarthy substituted for Councillor Firth under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 35 (7).

The Committee will be asked to appoint a Chair for this meeting.

(Apologies for absence have been received from the Chair, Councillor Ullah).

RESOLVED –

That Councillor James Homewood be appointed Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED -

That Councillor James Homewood be appointed Chair for the meeting.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 September 2025.

RESOLVED –

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

RESOLVED –

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

Committee Members will advise (i) if there are any items on the agenda upon which they have been lobbied and/or (ii) if there are any items on the agenda in which they have a Disposable Pecuniary Interest, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion or vote on an item, or any other interests.

Councillors Bellamy, Davies, Lee-Richards, Scott and Sokhal advised they had been lobbied in respect of Application 2025/92103.

Councillor Scott advised that she had also been lobbied in respect of Application 2025/92092.

Most agenda items will be considered in public session, however, it shall be advised whether the Committee will consider any matters in private, by virtue of the reports containing information which falls within a category of exempt information as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

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.       

Change of use from dwelling (use class C3) to residential care home (use class C2) at 81 George Avenue, Birkby, Huddersfield.

(Estimated time of arrival at site 10:10 a.m.)

Ward affected: Greenhead

Contact: Nicole Helliwell, Planning Services

Site visit undertaken.

Conversion of existing listed church to 2 dwellings, forming new resident’s car park, external amenity spaces and associated works at Church of the Holy Innocents, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury.

(Estimated time of arrival at site 10:50 a.m.)

Ward affected: Dewsbury South

Contact: Edward Cheseldine, Planning Services

Site visit undertaken.

Change of use from dwelling (C3) to a children's home (C2) at 17 Far View Crescent, Almondbury, Huddersfield.

(Estimated time of arrival at site 11:20 a.m.)

Ward affected: Almondbury

Contact: Nina Sayers, Planning Services

Site visit undertaken.

A request had been submitted for the consideration of Application 2025/92103 to be deferred due to the Ward Councillor who had referred the item to the Committee being unable to attend.

RESOLVED –

That the consideration of Application 2025/92103 be considered at the meeting as scheduled.

Conversion of existing listed church to 2 dwellings, forming new resident’s car park, external amenity spaces and associated works at Church of the Holy Innocents, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury.

Ward affected: Dewsbury South

Contact: Edward Cheseldine, Planning Services

Deferred.

The Committee considered Application 2025/90439 relating to the conversion of an existing listed church to two dwellings, forming new resident’s car park, external amenity spaces and associated works at Church of the Holy Innocents, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury.

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 37, the Committee received a representation from Emma Cosgriff (on behalf of the Church Commissioners).

RESOLVED –

That consideration of the application be deferred and that the Head of Planning and Development be requested to:

(i)    Review and strengthen the conditions in respect of, but not limited to:

(a)      The internal works. To include specification of the retention/ preservation/re-use of internal features including the war memorial.

(b)      Ensure the Construction Management Plan, or any related condition, includes a requirement for further survey work to be undertaken, prior to commencement, in the area proposed for car parking to check for unmarked graves and ensure no unmarked graves will be impacted.

(ii)   Seek information/comment from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Civic Society in respect of the whole of the area within the red-line boundary.

(iii)Provide the full text of the consultation response from consultees including the Victorian Society and any consultation with the Civic Society and the local community.

(iv)Include a footnote to ensure the use of permeable/sustainable drainage for the parking area.

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

For: Councillors Bellamy, Davies, Homewood, Lee-Richards, McCarthy, Scott and Sokhal (7 votes)

Against: 0 votes

Change of use from dwelling (use class C3) to residential care home (use class C2) at 81 George Avenue, Birkby, Huddersfield.

Ward affected: Greenhead

Contact: Nicole Helliwell, Planning Services

Approval delegated.

The Committee considered Application 2025/92092 in relation to the change of use from dwelling (use class C3) to residential care home (use class C2) at 81 George Avenue, Birkby, Huddersfield.

RESOLVED –

That approval of the application and the issuing of the decision notice be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development, in order to complete the list of conditions including those contained within the report, as set out below:

1. Development to commence within 3 years.

2. In accordance with plans.

3. Restrict the maximum number of children.

4. In accordance with management plan.

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

For: Councillors Bellamy, Davies, Homewood, Lee-Richards, McCarthy and Scott (6 votes)

Against: Councillor Sokhal (1 vote)

Change of use from dwelling (C3) to a children's home (C2) at 17 Far View Crescent, Almondbury, Huddersfield.

Ward affected: Almondbury

Contact: Nina Sayers, Planning Services

Approval delegated.

The Committee considered Application 2025/92103 in respect of the change of use from dwelling (C3) to a children's home (C2) at 17 Far View Crescent, Almondbury, Huddersfield.

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 37, the Committee received representations from Chris Sentance and Malcolm Sizer (in objection), Jessica Corrales-Ruiz and Johnny Haigh (on behalf of the applicant).

RESOLVED -

That approval of the application and the issuing of the decision notice be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development, in order to complete the list of conditions including those contained within the report, as set out below:

1. Standard conditions regarding time scale.

2. In full accordance with plans.

3. Restrict maximum number of children.

4. In accordance with management plan.

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

For: Councillors Bellamy, Homewood, McCarthy and Scott (4 votes)

Against: 0 votes

Abstain: Councillors Davies, Lee-Richards and Sokhal.