Did you know Honley hosts one of West Yorkshire’s oldest agricultural shows? The Honley Show celebrated its 103rd year in 2024 and draws thousands of visitors each year. Nestled in the southern Pennines, Honley has a rich history, especially in the textile industry that flourished during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it’s a vibrant community with scenic walking, alongside a wonderful mix of tradition and modern comforts.

Local amenities include St Mary’s Church, a library, medical facilities, fitness facilities, and a small co-operative store. Nearby, Hinchliffe’s farm shop offers everything from fresh produce to fine wines.

For food and drink, Honley offers a fantastic selection of independent shops, cafes, and pubs like Jacob’s Well, La Dantri, Wired Coffee and Cake, plus Krafty Connoisseurs for craft beers and refreshing gin cocktails.

The application site is allocated for residential development in Kirklees Council's Local Plan under Policy LP65 (Housing Allocations). More information on the allocation (ref:HS167) can be found here:

https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/planning-policy/pdf/local-plan-allocations-and-designations.pdf

The prospective planning application has taken into account all of the technical considerations of the policy and aims to deliver high-quality homes in Honley in accordance with the Council's vision for growth.

2019/60/91388/W – Outline application for the erection of up to 50 no. dwellings, all matters reserved except access. Application submitted: 25/04/2019. Decision: Application withdrawn. Decision date: 12/10/2019.

The outline application 2019/91388 was set to be determined at planning committee on 14 October 2019. The proposal had been recommended for refusal on the basis that insufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that and appropriate safe access onto Gynn Lane could be achieved, without crossing third party land. This was considered to increase the potential risk to highway safety.

The recommendation for refusal also emanated from insufficient information being submitted to demonstrate that the highway access would not result in the loss of protected trees of amenity value. This is also related to a negative impact on biodiversity, both without the necessary mitigation measures in place.

At the time of submission of the outline application, Kirklees Local Plan Allocations and Designations had been adopted (27 February 2019). The planning history demonstrates that the principle of development at the site is acceptable since the site formed part of a housing allocation.

A key consideration in the previous outline application centred around the proposed new access and culvert over Ludhill Dike. The LLFA raised concerns over increasing the length of the culvert and the angle of the entry point. This was both to prevent blockage and exceedance of the culvert form Ludhill Dike for maintenance purposes and in the interest of reducing risks to persons or animals entering the culvert (with or without permission).

The Arboricultural Officer considered the previous scheme to result in the loss of additional trees beyond the submission Arboricultural Method Statement, due to the regarding of the landscape around Ludhill Dike. This was considered to result in a significant gap in the protected woodland area that would undermine the purpose of the woodland protection order.

The Biodiversity Officer was satisfied that the previous scheme’s design of the culvert could mitigate any impacts to local ecological species. The officer considered the option that maintained the openness of the culvert to be the most suitable to limit ecological impacts, prevent further impacts to protected trees and allow ledges to facilitate safe passage for mammals.

The proposed access was not considered to sufficiently demonstrate safe and suitable access to the site. The proposals incorporated a 5.5m carriageway with a 1.2m verge and 2m pedestrian footway that would link to the north side of Gynn Lane to the east of the access. Particular regard was given to the achievable visibility splays and it was not supported that 2.4m 43m splays to the west of Gynn Lane could be achieved. Notwithstanding the issue with the access, officers consider that the other highway and transport matters would be acceptable subject to the necessary conditions.

The previous outline application suggested that the site would have negligible harm in terms of heritage on the pair of listed terraces (30 and 32 Gynn Lane). Residential development in this location was also considered acceptable by Environmental and Public Health, in relation to noise impacts from the railway adjacent to the east.

The Committee Report considered that drainage matters could be satisfactorily dealt with by the imposition of conditions. It is therefore considered that matters to do with drainage and flood risk can be overcome as part of this planning application.

In conclusion, the planning history clearly demonstrates that the principle of development is acceptable. Subject to a future application giving due consideration to the proposed access, associated culvert, and impacts on protected trees, it should be possible to overcome the reasons for the refusal of 2019/91388.

10 Affordable Homes provided on the site, which are broken down as;

5 Rent to Buy Properties sold to a registered provider

3 Discounted open market sales (20% discount)

2 First Homes (30% discount)

High energy-efficient homes

The woodland adjoining the site opened up to the community

Ludhill Dike upgraded to ease flooding potential

Section 106 payments for school provision

As part of our development, we aim to help reduce the effects of flooding that has been seen over the years around the Gynn Lane/New Mill Road area.

Our site will have its own attenuation tank that will reduce the amount of surface water runoff that enters Ludhill Dike. This is done with the use of a flow restrictor, which then limits the rate of discharge. This rate will be approved by Yorkshire Water and the Local Flood Lead.

Our site does not flood nor is it attributed to the flooding which occurs at the junction of Gynn Lane and New Mill Road.

As part of our development, the Local Flood Leads have asked for Ludhill Dike, which runs within our site boundary to be straightened up to ease the flow of water as it makes its way to the River Holme. Our new entrance road away allows.

In further discussions with the Local Flood Leads, some Section 106 money will be payable from this development for further flood prevention measures along the Ludhill Dike, which Kirklees Council have planned.