Residents are opposing plans by developers to build 60 new houses in an old mining area of Oakenshaw.

They are worried the proposed development on three fields off Wyke Lane and South Street will lead to more traffic congestion and are objecting to the loss of a site designated urban green space in Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

Kirklees Council has been sent more than 50 letters of objection and a 66-name petition signed by residents.

The 9.5-acre site is owned by Wyke-based developer Norman Littlewood & Sons and currently used as grazing for horses.

Council planning officers are also worried about traffic problems, loss of green space and fear the site may be contaminated from the previous coal mining.

Petition organiser Danita Graham-Martin, of Daleside Grove, who has two children, Hannah, six, and Rachael, three, said: "There are a lot of families in the area with young children and we are worried about the dangers to them from more traffic.

"South Street is already congested because it is the main route on to Cleckheaton Road and Wyke Lane is used by industrial traffic.

"There is also a lot of wildlife on the land and I am worried the new estate would destroy this. My other concern is that the recreation area planned for the estate is next to my garden and only yards from Low Moor Beck.''

Resident Wendy Fisher, of Green Lane, said: "My main concern is loss of green space. We want the land to remain as it is for as long as possible.

"At the moment the residents enjoy lovely views and privacy. We want it to stay that way.''

Councillor Kath Pinnock (Cleck, Lib Dem) said: "The area is a little green oasis surrounded by small village roads and if houses were built on the land, the volume of traffic would be intolerable.''

The application will go before the heavy woollen area planning sub committee on February 12.

Planning officer Andy Keeling said: "We are concerned about highways problems, planning policy because the land is designated urban green space and possible contamination as the area was once used for mining.''

The applicant Norman Littlewood said: "There is a shortage of housing in the north side of Kirklees. This site is ideal because it is near to the motorway and has roads on three sides.

"The land is poor and no good for farming. The area was last used for mining in 1820 so I can't see there being a problem of contamination.''

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