Student buildings bulldozed in housing estate plan

A former student accomodation block in Huddersfield will be demolished to make way for up to 261 homes despite concerns about the removal of dozens of trees.

Developers Ubrique Investments Ltd have been given outline planning permission to build a housing estate on the site of Storthes Hall, which once housed 1,300 students.

Almost 60 complaints were received about the plans with one resident describing the loss of trees as a "mass destruction of the natural world".

However, Kirklees Council officers said public benefits, such as an increase in housing, highway improvements and boosting the economy, outweighed the negatives.

The planning permission allows for the demolition of the student accommodation as well as a vacant bar and restaurant.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said listed assets including The Lodge Cottage and gate piers would remain, along with a reception building.

Concerns had been raised aroud issues including the impact on roads and wildlife and a lack of services such as doctors and schools.

Fears about the loss of trees were also highlighted at a the planning meeting on Thursday.

Resident Heather Peacock told councillors she was "absolutely staggered" by the number of trees that would be removed, with the figure standing at 100, according to a council report.

She said: "I've never seen a development of such mass destruction to the natural world as this.

"In all the years I've been doing tree activism, climate emergency activism, I've never seen anything like it."

Councillor John Taylor, who spoke in support of the plans, said students had moved out of the accommodation so the site needed to be utilised.

He added: "We're seeing significant vandalism occurring there because effectively what you've got is a load of student flats that are empty and all it's going to do is attract more vandalism and more anti-social behaviour in a quiet part of Kirkburton."

Because the permission granted was outline - only considering the principle of residential development - it means any further details will need to be brought forward and agreed by the council before homes are built.

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