Introduction

Lambert Smith Hampton is undertaking a soft marketing exercise in relation to four allocated sites that Kirklees Council hold across the Borough, these include the following four sites:

• Fenay Lane, Almondsbury, Huddersfield, HD8 0FA (Site 1)
• Land at Flash Lane and Dunbottle Lane, Mirfield, WF14 0PH (Site 2)
• Flint Street, Huddersfield, HD1 6L (Site 3);
• Land at Upper Clough, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5SS (Site 4);

LSH are considering each site individually (in this case Site 1: Fenay Lane) however some sites may be considered as part of a bundle package for disposal. Given the level of uncertainty in the residential market at present, following market and geo-political uncertainty that has subsequently led to energy and inflationary pressures across the globe, LSH are seeking to assess whether there is sufficient interest from the local and regional housebuilding industry for the Council to pursue more formal marketing of the sites in 2023.  This assessment is also seeking to establish what level of information would benefit the industry from bidding in the future.

Site Location

The site is situated in Fenay Bridge approximately 1km northeast of Almondbury, 1km south of Waterloo and 1.1km north west of Lepton, and 3km south east of Huddersfield. The site sits close to the A629 Penistone Road.

Local services at Fenay Bridge are situated around a 10 minute walk away, while services at Highgate Lane, Lepton are around a 15 minute walk away.

Site Description

The site extends to approximately 10.1 hectares in size and comprises vacant land which is largely grassed.

The site is bordered by residential housing to the east, north and west, with several dwellings and small agricultural uses to the south.

The site is surrounded by relatively dense residential housing in all directions apart from the south. The main housing type within the area is semi-detached predominantly at two storeys in height.

The site sits outside of (but adjacent to) the greenbelt boundary. The green belt sits to the southwest of the site and extends to the south of the site across Fenay Lane.

Site Plan

Planning

The Kirklees Local Plan was adopted on 27 February 2019 and comprises:

• Strategy and Policies document, and
• Allocations and Designations document.

Kirklees also have several Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that provide guidance to support the implementation of development plan policies. Those of relevance include:

• Housebuilders Design Guide SPD, adopted on 29 June 2021
• Kirklees Open Space SPD, adopted on 29 June 2021
• Kirklees Highway Design Guide SPD, adopted on 4 November 2019
• An updated Interim Affordable Housing Policy was approved on 14 January 2020.

The site is allocated under Policy HS9 that confirms the site can accommodate up to 274 dwellings across the 10ha site, delivering a density of 35 dwellings per hectare (assuming a net developable area of 7.83ha.

It is envisaged that the proposed development will comprise a mix of two and three storey dwellings. Given the context of the surrounding residential development, it is likely that the dwellings will take the form of large detached family housing with associated gardens.

Indicative Masterplan

TBC