The biggest Kirklees development plans to be decided in 2026

Planning permission for hundreds of new Kirklees homes could be granted in 2026, as controversial applications continue to cause a stir among local communities.

Every year, Kirklees Council aims to build 1,730  new homes. But the pressure is on, since the local authority has fallen short of the national requirement to have enough land suitable for accommodating five years’ worth of housing growth to meet local needs. On top of this, the council has failed the ‘Housing Delivery Test’ for the past three years, meaning that less than 75 per cent of homes needed in the area have been delivered.

Both of these factors mean that the local authority has to apply the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ when determining planning applications. As a result, proposed developments will be given planning permission unless the negatives “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits.

Recently, plans for a massive development of up to 181-homes on a plot of land at Heybeck Lane, near Dewsbury were refused by the planning committee, despite the extra housebuilding pressures. The proposed development had previously secured planning permission until it was quashed in a judicial review. When the application was re-submitted, the committee opted to turn it down due to a series of concerns, much to the relief of residents.

Below are just some of the biggest planning applications due to be determined in 2026:

Eastfield, Shepley

In November, it was revealed that housing developer, Banks Group Ltd, had submitted plans to construct up to 110 homes on a plot of land at Eastfield , Shepley. At this stage, the application is for outline planning permission, meaning that even if permission is granted, further consents will be required before the development comes to fruition.

The plans have sparked serious objection from the local community, with campaign group ‘Shepley Fields Forever’, forming in response . Local councillor, John Taylor (Con, Kirkburton), has said that building on the Green Belt site is not the answer to Kirklees Council’s housing needs. Though the applicant argues that the land is a suitable grey belt site due to “strong evidence” the area makes a “limited contribution” to the Green Belt.

One local resident said that they believe the plans would “irretrievably destroy” the rural character of Shepley. More than 300 public comments have been made on the application, with consultation coming to a close on December 9. The council has set January 29 as its target date for a decision to be made on the plans.

Gynn Lane, Honley

Residents have voiced their concerns that the site at Gynn Lane in Honley is just not suitable for the proposed development of 50 homes. Since the plans were submitted to Kirklees Council by Vivly Living in May, 143 comments have been made in response by members of the public, with Cllr Charles Greaves (Independent, Holme Valley North) urging locals to have their say.

One person wrote: “Gynn Lane is narrow and has tight blind bends. The addition of approximately 100 extra cars to the area will increase congestion, road noise and the likelihood of incidents. Gynn Lane is often under strain during school drop off times and events. During the lengthy construction phase, access would also be adversely affected and the current road infrastructure is not suitable for heavy plant.”

In the supporting documents, the applicant has acknowledged some of the site’s constraints including its sloping nature, absence of footpaths, flood risk and coal mining past. However, they say the development will “enhance” the local community and “provide much-needed housing in a sustainable and thoughtfully designed environment”.

This application is for full planning permission and would see the homes range from two to four/five bedrooms. The properties would also come with parking, including space for visitors and a new point of access is proposed from Gynn Lane.

Heckmondwike’s Stubley Farm

Heckmondwike residents fear that “chaos” will ensue if a 51-home development gets the go-ahead from Kirklees Council. The application from Orion Homes seeks permission to construct the properties on a plot of land at Stubley Farm, off Leeds Road. The site is allocated for housing in the council’s Local Plan and would see two existing properties demolished to create a point of access.

So far, 89 public comments have been made in response to the plans, with one person saying: “This development appears to include no amenities, and no provision for public transport or active travel – it is yet another housing estate where residents will be reliant on cars to access shops, schools, healthcare and amenities.

“It is also a loss of greenbelt land and a large number of mature native trees and local wildlife. How does this fit with Kirklees’ declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 and the plan for Kirklees to be net zero by 2038? It is not a sustainable type of development.”

Though a supporting statement on behalf of the applicant argues: “The proposal will assist the council in meeting its housing supply requirements and will not give rise to any harm in terms of highways, ecology, trees or drainage. The proposal delivers economic, social and environmental benefits and as such can be considered as being a sustainable development.”

Former Cellars Clough Mill site, Marsden

An application for a 75-home estate on the site of the former Cellars Clough Mill in Marsden was branded “insane” by one local resident, as others have also made their objections clear. The mill ceased to operate in 1982 and fell into dereliction, later being demolished in 2019. The demolition was part of previously secured planning permission which would have allowed 55 homes to be built, though this never took place.

Under the latest plans, 75 homes would be laid out in four rows of houses and three short rows of terraced homes. The applicant says that this uplift in the number of properties is both “appropriate and necessary” in light of the “pressing need” to boost housing delivery in Kirklees. The properties would have either two bedrooms (29), three bedrooms (36) or four bedrooms (10).

Fifteen representations were made by members of the public during the round of consultation and a decision is expected to be made by Kirklees Council by January 30, 2026.