Lyra Auld

Developers have applied to Kirklees Council to convert derelict land off George Street in Dewsbury into a hand car wash with valeting bays, storage and office containers, parking and bicycle storage. They say the one-way layout and separate entrance and exit will prevent vehicles from waiting on the highway, while the project would create employment and complement nearby industrial uses. The planning application is under consultation until August 31; an earlier permission for a commercial unit on the site has expired.

A Freedom of Information request found that Kirklees Council holds £14.5 million in unspent Section 106 contributions from housing developments, including £9.82 million held for more than two years and some funds dating back to 1998-99. The money was intended for measures such as education, affordable housing, roads and community facilities. The article lists 36 developments with outstanding funds, including projects in Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Meltham and Cleckheaton. Councillor John Hardie said the issue is legally complex but is a priority, with an update expected by October 2026.

Residents of Ward Hill Court in Batley say loud car meets and racing vehicles regularly disturb them, with some fearing retaliation if they report the problem. Councillor Akhtar Kasia said previous enforcement at a Tesco car park displaced the activity to Ward Hill and other sites rather than resolving it. Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Police and local partners are being urged to adopt a coordinated approach, while Yorkshire Housing has encouraged affected residents to report incidents so they can be investigated and recorded.

Kirklees Council’s Corporate Governance and Audit Committee provisionally recommended rejecting a proposed Honley Parish Council, citing very low consultation turnout and concerns about increased costs, administrative duplication and reduced strategic coordination across the Holme Valley. Councillor Charles Greaves argued that roughly 3,000 votes backing the Valley Independent Group’s election platform demonstrated stronger support for the proposal. Council officer Nick Howe responded that residents had been given sufficient opportunities to participate in the consultation.

Kirklees Council says Huddersfield’s planned district heat network has stalled because it lacks a viable business case and sufficient finance, not because of insufficient ambition. The scheme was intended to use heat from the waste-to-energy plant at 37 Old Leeds Road to supply hot water and heating to thousands of properties, and received £8 million from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund in 2023. Council officials said the network would need participation from multiple businesses and competitive heat pricing to become viable, while further work with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority continues to identify a workable model.

At least four waste bins, including bins belonging to Smile Bar & Venue and Kirklees Council, were dragged into Huddersfield Broad Canal on August 2. The bar owners condemned the act as vandalism, citing the disruption to their business and potential environmental damage. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a report had been made, while the Canal & River Trust began removing the bins and rubbish but could not clear everything in one trip.

Plans for 24 affordable homes on farmland off Long Lane in Earlsheaton, near Dewsbury, have been amended after residents raised concerns about local birds and bats. The developer, Wordsworth Property Developments Ltd, has submitted a Bird and Bat Box Location Plan specifying four bird boxes and four bat boxes, including their heights, positioning and proximity to vegetation. Kirklees Council previously approved the scheme after biodiversity surveys, and its review of the latest proposals could allow the development to proceed.

Huddersfield Town has submitted a planning application to expand the Accu Stadium with a 141-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel adjoining the Terriers Together North Stand. The proposed development would include a restaurant and bar, glass atrium, gym, remodeled premium spaces, and 14 match-day boxes, with multipurpose public areas for supporters. Construction could require the North Stand to close for the 2027/28 season, while the rest of the stadium would remain accessible. Owner and chairman Kevin Nagle described the application as a major step toward turning the club and its 53-acre site into a year-round destination.

Premier Inn has submitted detailed plans to satisfy conditions attached to its approved Huddersfield expansion. The project would demolish the existing restaurant and add hotel rooms, a breakfast room, and an improved car park on St Andrew’s Road. Kirklees Council is reviewing details covering landscaping, tree protection, boundaries, materials, and paving, following earlier concerns from the Canal & River Trust that the development could restrict public access to the canal and hinder maintenance.

Plans to demolish and rebuild The Co-op Academy, Smithies Moor, in Heckmondwike are moving ahead in two phases despite the discovery of historic shallow coal-mining workings. A ground gas risk assessment submitted to Kirklees Council found that the risks had been mitigated and that treated areas were suitable for the proposed development. The first phase will relocate pupils and staff before the existing building is demolished and the remaining site is remediated. Developer Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd is awaiting the council’s review of the latest submissions.

Muslim community representatives in Kirklees have urged political leaders to take stronger action against rising anti-Muslim hatred following graffiti on a prayer sign at an Almondbury burial ground and claims that dogs have been allowed to defecate near Muslim graves. Imam Mohammed Abubakar and resident Abdul Ahmed described broader racism, threats and heightened security at mosques. The Huddersfield Council of Mosques also condemned allegedly anti-Islam posts linked to Councillor Eric Butterworth, who apologised and said the posts were satirical and taken out of context. Kirklees Council leader Sarah Wood reaffirmed a commitment to residents' safety, while West Yorkshire Police said patrols had been increased and officers were engaging with the community.

Councillors have launched a petition calling for safety improvements at the Cobcroft Road and Percy Street crossroads in Birkby, Huddersfield, where residents report frequent and severe crashes. Councillor Toby Cooper said at least three serious collisions had occurred since he began his term, including incidents requiring people to be cut from vehicles, and warned that the site is close to a junior school, community centres and a GP practice. Kirklees Council has received the petition and will conduct a detailed investigation of the crossroads and assess existing safety measures, with the petition expected to be presented to the council after cabinet meetings resume in September.

Huddersfield will mark Yorkshire Day with a free, family-friendly festival at Oakwell Hall and Country Park on August 2, organized by Kirklees Council. The event will feature local music, food, creative workshops, a makers’ market, poetry, dog shows, traditional Yorkshire-themed games, performances and community activities. Organizers say this year’s celebration will be the greenest yet, with shuttle transport, recycling, reduced printing, green energy and expanded bike parking. The event also highlights Yorkshire’s heritage, local talent and community pride.

Kirklees Council received more than 58 planning applications between July 20 and July 26, covering household extensions, commercial alterations, tree work and changes to public and community buildings. Major proposals include final planning details for Miller Homes’ 231-home scheme at Crosland Moor, part of a wider plan for more than 700 homes by Vistry Group and Miller Homes, as well as minor revisions to the restoration of Dewsbury Arcade. Other applications include new care homes, a nursery conversion, retail development requirements and infrastructure upgrades across Kirklees.

Residents say Batley’s Wilton Park has deteriorated despite receiving a Green Flag award in July, citing rubbish, rats, broken benches, unkempt areas and a memorial bench recently burned out. Kirklees Council says the debris has been removed, attributes some maintenance problems to warm weather and reduced budgets, and promises more regular work, improved entrances and autumn repairs to the park’s herbaceous borders.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade has reached a major milestone at Ravensthorpe, where the penultimate pair of beams was installed on the 350-metre Baker Viaduct, connecting its structural steelwork across the River Calder. The viaduct will support new four-track rail alignments and a grade-separated flyover, enabling faster and more reliable services between Leeds and Wakefield. Construction teams placed around 130,000 cubic metres of earthwork material in 2025, with a similar amount expected in 2026. A new Ravensthorpe station, featuring step-free access, extended platforms and passenger facilities, is scheduled to reopen in 2028, alongside the installation of overhead equipment for electrified services. TRU representatives say the work remains on time and within budget.

Kirklees councillors must publicly disclose employment and other pecuniary interests, and the article compiles the occupations recorded for the council’s 68 members. Disclosures range from Sarah Wood’s work at Kirkstall Precision Engineering and Michael Simmons’s professional poker career and property-landlord activities to Pip Harvey’s cookie stall, taxi driving, education, legal work, construction, transport and charity roles. The records cover councillors from Reform UK, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Kirklees Independents, the Valley Independent Group and independent members, while several councillors have no employment listed.

Residents near Fox's Biscuits’ factory in Batley complained that a loud alarm had sounded for up to 12 hours, disrupting sleep and causing distress. Fox's Biscuits apologised, said it had investigated and identified the problem, and provided contact details for residents to report any further disturbances. Noise complaints can also be submitted to Kirklees Council.

The Silent Woman pub in Slaithwaite, which was associated with fights, alleged drug activity, underage drinking and other anti-social behaviour, closed permanently by early 2025 despite an earlier attempt to reopen under strict licence conditions. Nabbs Lane Ltd has applied to convert the building into a children's day nursery serving Slaithwaite and surrounding communities. The proposal argues that alternative pubs, cafés, restaurants and community venues mean the change would not eliminate local community facilities. Public comments can be submitted to Kirklees Council until 11 August 2026.

West Yorkshire Police has made minor amendments to plans for its new satellite station in Northgate, Huddersfield, reducing the proposed parking spaces from 96 to 94 to allow for additional electric-vehicle charging points. The police force and its agent, Avison Young, said the change would not affect the development’s safe or efficient operation because 89 spaces are required at peak capacity. Kirklees Council approved the amendment on July 23, and the station remains on track for completion in 2026.

A new Lidl store at Birstall Retail Park is facing a final planning hurdle linked to historic shallow coal workings, voids and a possible adit beneath the site. A remediation plan by Remada Geo Consultants recommends drilling and pressure grouting, with reinforced raft foundations also considered to prevent surface instability. The report concludes that the remediation criteria have been met, but Kirklees Council must approve the submission before construction can proceed fully. The Lidl and Home Bargains development is expected to create up to 110 jobs, include an in-store bakery and provide a shared 145-space car park, with completion anticipated by the end of 2026.

People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and campaigners have urged Kirklees Council and the Kirklees Integrated Care Board to address major gaps between national guidance and patients' experiences. At a health and social care scrutiny meeting, concerns included inadequate professional training, outdated terminology and limited progress in care over the past 15 years. The panel recommended disseminating national guidance, improving collaboration across primary care pathways and reporting back on measures to support roughly 1,900 ME patients in Kirklees.

Keepmoat Homes has submitted revised drawings and layout plans for a 97-home development in Gomersal, after Kirklees Council approved the scheme in 2025. Residents had objected that the project would damage the village’s rural character, remove green space and worsen road and parking conditions. The updated application includes a Design and Access Statement and CGI images, and could allow demolition of an existing home if approved. Public comments are open until August 3, 2026.

LGBTQ+ campaigners are urging the new Reform-led Kirklees Council to continue supporting Huddersfield Pride following similar councils’ decisions to remove or restrict Pride flags. Mike Forster expressed hope for collaboration with council leader Sarah Wood and requested increased resources for future events. Recent actions by Reform-led councils in Durham and Calderdale have raised concerns about potential challenges to Pride in Kirklees.

Residents in Cleckheaton awoke to an unauthorised Traveller encampment near Brooklyn Flats, prompting tension after a neighbour shouted at the group. Gary North reported effects on his children and said residents chose to avoid confrontation. Kirklees Council began its standard process for such sites, but the travellers left before legal action was required. Police attended on Sunday, and the grounds were cleared the same day.

Kirklees Council received 62 planning applications over one week, ranging from home extensions and tree works to major redevelopment updates. The George Hotel refurbishment progressed with new condition variations as part of its £30 million transformation into a 108‑bedroom hotel. Other applications included housing changes, commercial modifications, tree management across protected areas, and regulatory clearances for previously approved developments.

Plans to redevelop the former Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito site at Birstall’s Centre 27 Business Park have advanced, with Starbucks and KFC confirmed as intended drive‑through operators. Developer Quickcater Ltd has submitted a Condition 18 verification report to confirm the land is safe following contamination checks, a required step before construction can proceed. Approval would move the project closer to starting on a site already hosting other businesses, including Zizzi’s and Sofology.

Kirklees Council ended a prolonged leadership stalemate as Reform UK councillor Sarah Wood won a secret ballot, becoming the district’s first Reform UK leader. The decision followed weeks of resignations, defections, and failed votes, alongside competing proposals from a coalition led by Green Party leader Andrew Cooper, who sought annual re-elections for council leaders. Wood plans an all‑Reform UK cabinet while pledging openness, prompting concerns from Cooper about disproportionate representation. The result clears the way for CEO Steve Mawson to step down and for a new cabinet to be appointed.

Multiple Reform UK councillors in Kirklees are under scrutiny for discriminatory social media posts, including allegations against Eric Butterworth for comments targeting racial and religious groups. Similar incidents involving councillors Stefan Dransfield and Tracy Clayton have resurfaced, prompting public backlash. Reform UK has not formally responded, while Kirklees Council notes that many posts predate the councillors’ election and fall outside its code of conduct.

Kirklees Council elected Reform UK's Sarah Wood as its new leader in a secret ballot, defeating Andrew Cooper. Wood will form an all‑Reform cabinet, assign portfolios, and define delegated powers while coordinating with senior officers to establish policy priorities. Chief Executive Steve Mawson steps back from leadership duties, and the new administration will also appoint representatives to external bodies.

Green Party leader Andrew Cooper criticised newly elected Kirklees Council leader Sarah Wood’s plan to form an all‑Reform UK cabinet after losing the leadership vote by six ballots. Cooper warned that the approach would give Reform disproportionate control despite lacking majority voter support. Wood defended the plan, saying she would honour commitments to the community and appoint an experienced Reform‑only cabinet, with full details to follow.

Reform UK’s Sarah Wood won the Kirklees Council leadership after a close secret ballot, defeating Green Party leader Andrew Cooper. Wood committed to forming an all‑Reform cabinet while pledging openness to other groups and said appointments will be announced soon after weeks of deadlock in council leadership selection.

Kirklees Council’s leadership contest enters a third round as tensions rise between Reform UK leader Sarah Wood and Green Party leader Andrew Cooper. Wood criticizes an amendment backed by several council groups that would require annual leadership re-elections, calling it a press stunt and arguing it would hinder meaningful governance. Cooper defends the amendment as standard procedure and notes precedent for annual leadership elections. The original motion and amendments will be debated at the upcoming full council meeting.

A stalemate at Kirklees Council after tied leadership votes has prompted warnings that the Secretary of State could intervene if a leader is not elected. A report from Monitoring Officer Samantha Lawton outlines legal risks, potential judicial reviews and the possibility of commissioners being appointed as a last resort. External auditors may consider issuing a Public Interest Report, and the council is set to revisit the leadership vote at its July 15 meeting.

Over 40 planning applications were submitted to Kirklees Council between June 22 and June 28, ranging from small home extensions and tree maintenance requests to major housing developments. Key updates include progress on a 770‑home project at Blackmoorfoot Road and Felks Stile Road, where Vistry Group and Miller Homes are moving forward with detailed plans for roads and building materials. Additional developments include approvals and updates for projects in Holmfirth, Dewsbury, and Huddersfield, alongside numerous applications involving extensions, structural alterations, and preservation‑area tree work.

Kirklees Council will allow licensed premises to stay open for England’s late‑night World Cup match against Mexico, following a UK Government decision to relax licensing hours. The council is waiving the need for Temporary Event Notices and issuing refunds to venues that had already applied. Officials encouraged residents to enjoy the match responsibly as England’s game begins at 1am UK time on July 6.

Plans have been submitted for a temporary 200‑space car park and office facility on Flint Street in Huddersfield to support staff working on the £11.5bn Transpennine Route Upgrade. The conditional application requires Network Rail to follow strict rules throughout construction. Work on Huddersfield’s Grade‑I listed station, costing £70m, is underway and expected to deliver longer platforms, a new layout, a new footbridge and a refurbished roof by 2027.

Residents of Hallas Grove in Dalton fear flash flooding due to blocked drains that they say are not being cleaned often enough. Homeowners report clearing drains themselves, worrying that heavy rain following recent heatwaves could cause flooding. Kirklees Council states it is aware of the drainage issues and will clear blockages and assess further work, noting that routine inspections occur and urging residents to report problems through the council’s website.

Kirklees Council clarified that a £2,100 spending entry labelled “tobacco” in its May ledger referred to an IT system update for its smoking support portal rather than the purchase of tobacco products. The payment, made to Bionic Solutions Ltd and listed under a stop‑smoking cost centre, was attributed to a coding label rather than the acquisition of cigarettes. The council reiterated that no tobacco was purchased and highlighted available local smoking‑cessation services, including the Kirklees Wellness programme and the Smoke Free App.

A late-night fire destroyed multiple allotment plots on Westfield Road in Heckmondwike, killing around a dozen chickens and prompting concerns from plot holders about recurring anti-social behaviour. Residents described previous incidents and expressed fears that the repeated damage will drive people away. Authorities from Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Police and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are assessing damage, supporting affected owners and continuing investigations into the cause, which remains undetermined.

A redevelopment plan to convert Huddersfield’s former Storthes Hall psychiatric hospital into 261 homes has cleared a key hurdle after a structural survey found no significant safety issues with the nearby Storthes Hall Bridge, despite visible cracks. Developers Ubrique Investments Ltd submitted bridge and road network assessments as required by Kirklees Council. The findings indicate the bridge remains in good overall condition, bringing the project closer to receiving final approval to begin construction.

Kirklees Council outlines limits on its operations as the authority continues without an elected leader after councillors twice failed to choose between Green Party’s Andrew Cooper and Reform UK’s Sarah Wood. A leaked letter from Chief Executive Steve Mawson warned that running without a leader is unsustainable and urged councillors to secure a majority-backed appointment. Until the next scheduled meeting on July 15, the CEO will take key lawful decisions in consultation with political group leaders, while functions requiring cabinet members remain unfilled. Other council business, including planning, licensing and scrutiny, continues under existing arrangements.

Sixty‑three planning applications were submitted to Kirklees Council between June 15 and 21, ranging from home extensions and tree maintenance to new housing, commercial changes and historic‑building alterations. Major items include progress on the Lindley Moor Road industrial development, which requires wildlife‑protection plans before construction, and updated proposals related to Huddersfield Open Market’s regeneration. Councillors previously raised concerns about potential last‑mile distribution use at the industrial site, but the project was approved in 2024. The list details new submissions across Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley, Holmfirth and surrounding areas involving residential expansions, business conversions and infrastructure updates.