'Luxury' 67-home development proposed for Cleckheaton

The application from Newett Homes, Martin House and Alistair Richard Wood to Kirklees Council would see the properties brought to Lower Blacup Farm, sitting to the west of Ashbourne Drive, Cleckheaton.

The plot of land currently has an agricultural use and is around 2.37 hectares of fields.

Under the plans, the properties would be a mixture of one and two bedroomed maisonettes, and three, four and five bedroomed homes.

No affordable housing is being proposed as part of the scheme due to issues around “viability”, with this to be subject to testing.

Images of the farmland where the homes would be built (Image: Newett Homes) On developments of 10 or more homes, Kirklees Council requires 20 per cent to be considered as ‘affordable’ homes, except when it can be shown a developer won’t make an acceptable level of profit. 

The site would retain a current access point from Ashbourne Way, with a second point of access proposed through the extension of highways at Ashbourne View and Ashbourne Drive. Car parking would be provided for each property, with public open spaces also proposed as a feature of the site.

An artist's impression of how the scheme could look (Image: Newett Homes) A supporting document says the development will offer “high-quality” homes in a range of sizes and types, be a “well-connected” development which reduces reliance on cars and create public space that is “safe” and “attractive” for new and existing residents. 

It concludes: “Newett Homes create luxurious homes built to the highest of standards. We consider that the application site provides a fantastic opportunity to provide the local population with high quality new homes to meet the local needs.”

A decision on the plans is expected by January 9.