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); and
• Land at Upper Clough, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5SS (Site 4);

LSH are considering each site individually (in this case Site 4: Upper Clough), 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 located adjacent to the east of Upper Clough Road in Linthwaite, Huddersfield and is approximately 1.5 miles east of Slaithwaite village centre and 4.5 miles southwest of Huddersfield.

Site Description

The site extends to approximately 1.54 hectares in size and comprises vacant land which is largely grassed and partitioned into several sections by stone walls.

The site is bordered by residential dwellings to the north, Upper Clough Road to the west, residential housing to the east and south, and an area of woodland to the southeast. The surrounding residential developments are relatively dense. The main housing type within the area is semi-detached, predominantly at two storeys in height.

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 HS128 that confirms the site can accommodate up to 53 dwellings across the gross and net area of 1.54ha, delivering a density of c. 35 dwellings per hectare.

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 semi and detached family housing with associated gardens.

Indicative Masterplan

TBC

Soft Market Testing Questions →