Council-owned village land to be sold off at auction for £850,000

The parcel of land in Birkenshaw is just over 2 acres in size and backs on to Birkenshaw Liberal Club.

While it has a housing allocation of 28 units in the Local Plan, planning permission for 34 homes was previously successful, although that has now expired.

In the auction, which ends on October 18, the lot’s location is described as: “The plot is located to the south of Birkenshaw Liberal Club and Croft Street in Birkenshaw, Bradford.

“The local area is of primarily residential use, with commercial premises located on Bradford Road (A651) nearby to the west.

“Bradford and Leeds are located approximately 4 miles and 7.5 miles to the north-west and north-east, respectively.”

It goes on to state that previous planning permission was granted in September 2019 and that interested parties should consult directly with the local planning authority.

As for the Birkenshaw land, the original planning application proved controversial despite planners recommending the 34-home scheme be approved.

The land to the side of Birkenshaw Liberal Club

More than 200 objections were lodged against the scheme which was brough forward by the former Liberal Club secretary John Atkin and his firm, Atkin’s Enterprises.

Concerns were raised around access from the site onto Old Lane and the limited sightlines, and constraints due to on-street parking outside existing properties.

In addition there was concern that the number of homes was inappropriate for the size of the site.

The plans were eventually approved by planners, with a Section 106 legal agreement signed in 2019 covering raft of conditions and more than £160,000 in total towards education, public open space and Metro cards, as well as 10 affordable homes on the site.

In 2016 the Telegraph & Argus reported how a row had broken out between the village social club and those behind the plans.

They feared the land being sold off for development would make it impossible for the social club to operate, as it had made use of the land around the building as an informal car park.

The site is one of a number being sold at auction by Kirklees Council, including:

1.7 acres of brownfield land in an industrial area of Huddersfield at St Andrew’s Road and Turnbull Street with a guide price of £975,000; and

2.2 acres of land allocated for 30 homes in Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, with a guide price of £450,000.