COUNCIL-owned green fields in Cleckheaton have been pulled out of an auction due to difficulties in gaining outline planning permission for the site.

Kirklees Council took the decision to withdraw the 1.68 hectare site off Kenmore Drive from the auction last week, after a planning committee failed to reach a decision on its plans.

The controversial plan to build 55 homes had attracted more than 100 letters of objection, with many of the concerns around an unsuitable access route due to on street parking.

The authority’s highways department had concerns about extending the cul-de-sac as existing on-street parking could create issues with highway safety.

In response the Council submitted amended plans to try and address the highways issues, with two points of access to a new housing estate – on Kenmore Drive and Kenmore View – rather than one.

As a result the plans were recommended for approval at a meeting earlier this month. The land was also scheduled to be sold at auction last week with a guide price of £1.25 million.

But at the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee meeting, members deferred a decision calling for the authority to provide further information on some issues.

Now it has confirmed that a decision is expected next month and following that options for the site will be reviewed.

Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) told the Telegraph & Argus: “The big issue for me is that it’s a Council-owned site and the Council knows there is a big shortage in the area for extra care homes, offering independent living for the elderly.

“The Council could use the site to fill that gap and at the same time it would mean fewer car movements, particularly at peak times, than the proposals.

“I think people would be more accepting of something that is of social value.”

A Council spokesman said: “The Council withdrew the site at Kenmore Drive from auction as further information was requested by the planning committee meeting which was considering the planning application for the site.

“This information will be provided to the December planning committee meeting.

“Once the planning position has been determined, options for the site will be reconsidered.”

The land has been owned by the Council for a number of years and had at one point been earmarked for a new school.

For the last two decades it has been allocated for housing.

Following the amendments, a planner’s report stated: “Following concerns being raised relating to matters of access and highways safety, the application was revised from single point of access to show two points of access via Kenmore Drive and Kenmore View.

“The revised details were accompanied by an additional highway statement with responses to concerns raised.”