KIRKLEES Council are working in partnership with Keepmoat Homes to develop 319 homes on land the council owns in Soothill, Batley.

This development will include 65 affordable homes, meeting the need for local affordable homes and will also feature public rights of way, enhanced landscaping, biodiversity and high-quality open space, including play spaces.

Public consultation by Keepmoat on the proposed development took place in Spring 2021 and planning permission was granted in September.

The first stage of development is due to start in October 2021, which will include the initial site preparation works. Following completion of these site preparation works, construction of the homes will begin in March 2022 using modern methods of construction.

Ross Miller-Green, Manager in Infrastructure Grants Project Management at Homes England added:“It’s great to see new homes for people in Batley start to take shape at Soothill.

“Homes England is committed to working with our local authority and development partners to ensure good quality, well designed homes are built at pace in the communities where they’re most needed.”

The project is supported by funding from Homes England, the government’s housing agency and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

The Homes England grant comes from the agency’s Local Authority Accelerated Construction Programme, which aims to help unlock public land and increase the speed of housing delivery using innovative modern methods of construction (MMC).

The benefits of MMC include an increased pace of delivery and the production of higher quality, energy efficient homes.

Councillor Cathy Scott, Cabinet Member for Housing said:

“I am excited to see the creation of hundreds of much needed, quality new homes in Batley. This project will provide many more affordable homes for our residents, whilst creating modern, energy efficient homes also help towards our carbon neutral goals for Kirklees.

“Our focus is not just on the houses, we will also be working to create a quality neighbourhood within Soothill where people are excited to live.

“Partnership working, like we are here, is key to our commitment to make Kirklees a place where families flourish and businesses thrive. I look forward to seeing this project with Homes England and Keepmoat complete.”