FUMING residents have slammed newbuild plans for “taking away years of hard work” from their local community and ‘ruining’ livelihoods.
The latest housing plan for the renovation of Newsome Mills, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has been rejected by scathing locals who branded the project a town killer.
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The additional 78 homes into the area will see the closing down of a gym and row of independently run amenities, according to raging residents.
One furious objector, of 55, told YorkshireLive: “I object to this planning as it will affect the gym that I attend.
“If this planning goes ahead, my gym will be forced to close as the landlord will sell the property due to access becoming an issue.
“Access to my gym is paramount to both my physical and mental well-being.”
Another scathing resident added: “I often use and support the businesses on Ruth Street, this takes away from years of hard work building a business in a small local community.
“It would be a real shame to see these businesses poorly affected by these ridiculous plans.
“Working in housing myself, I understand the need for housing in overpopulated areas however there is no need to ruin small local businesses in what is already a hard time.
“There are plenty of other areas to erect houses, which wouldn’t have detrimental impacts on local residents and business owners.”
However, Dewsbury-based Connect Housing, have marketed the properties as: “High quality, sustainable, inexpensive to run, and require little future long-term maintenance.”
A two-storey car park with EV charging points and disabled access will be built to accommodate for the 33 one to four bedroom homes, and remaining 45 apartments.
This will replace parts of the Newsome Mill, an iconic landmark in the area, and a Grade 11 listed building.
It dates back to the 1800s but is being rejuvenated following a destructive arson attack seven years ago which left parts in “a state of extreme disrepair” and posing “a significant risk to the general public.”
The applicant’s Design and Access Statement read: “The reconstruction of Newsome Mill is the key driver for all development on this site and is strongly supported by Kirklees Council, the Conservation Officer, Historic England and the local community.”
Kirklees Councillor Andrew Cooper said: “It’s an exciting proposal that restores the outline of the old Newsome Mill building and provides much-needed Independent Supported Living and social housing.
“I am really pleased that Connect Housing are proposing to bring this derelict site into use.
“I’ve seen the plans and what is particularly exciting is that their plans will use the remaining walls and that the development will restore the shape of the former mill which we are sure will be welcomed by the community.”
A decision is set to be made on whether the planning application will be approved on September 6 later this year.
This comes as other towns and villages across the UK battle with nightmare newbuilds.
Homeowners on a development in Nunthorpe, Teesside raged with claims the developer failed to clean up eyesore piles of bricks and rubble left behind by builders.
Meanwhile, residents of a newly developed block of 528 homes on the site of the former RAF Newton, near Bingham, Nottinghamshire, are horrified by proposals to build a warehouse and car park nearby.
Plus, locals in a popular seaside town say it is being ruined by newbuild homes – claiming they don’t fit with the area.
Wells-next-to-the-Sea in north Norfolk is one of the east coast’s most picturesque resorts, but some homeowners are “up in arms” over plans to build 51 houses in the area.
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