Newsome Mill Ponds matter – share your views

We know that Newsome Mill Ponds matter to lots of people in Newsome (and beyond). If our mill ponds matter to you, please send Kirklees Council your comments about plans to build 22 houses on this heritage greenspace. You have until Tuesday 8th June to share your views.

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How to make your views heard

You can share your comments with Kirklees Council, to be considered as part of the planning decision. Please share your comments by Tuesday 8th June 2021.

Object to the application online now at: www.savenewsomemillponds.org.uk

You do not need to create an account to comment –
just choose the ‘Or, continue as a guest‘ link

(you can write up to 500 words)

Or email:  dc.admin@kirklees.gov.uk

(there is no word limit for email responses)

Or write to:

Kirklees Planning Service, Civic Centre 3, PO BOX B93, Huddersfield, HD1 2JR

You must include your name and postal address in emails or letters. You must also quote this reference:

Planning application 2021/91638

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About this site

This heritage greenspace right at the heart of Newsome includes the 19th century mill pond and culvert (the oldest surviving part of Newsome Mills), the former mill workers allotments and an avenue of protected trees. It’s well used by wildlife and greatly valued by residents. Local people and community organisations in the area have spoken up many times in support of this greenspace, which we want to keep for the benefit of residents and wildlife.

Newsome Mill Ponds are fed by a network of land drains, running all down the hillside between Castle Hill and Newsome. The ponds have been providing an important function in preventing local flooding for 200 years. Newsome Mill Ponds matter for local people, for our health and wellbeing, for wildlife, for sustainable drainage, for our heritage and for our sense of belonging.

If Newsome Mill Ponds matter to you, please add your comments:

www.savenewsomemillponds.org.uk

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Further information

Newsome Mill Ponds matter – Newsome Mills campaign blog

View the planning application

Planning application 2021/91638

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Together we can save our mill ponds

Our mill ponds are once again under threat. Let’s not lose another part of the historic Newsome Mills site. You have until Friday 23rd June 2017 to add your voice to our campaign.

In January 2017, the Huddersfield Planning Committee voted unanimously to refuse planning application number 2016/91479. The application proposed the destruction of the 19th century mill pond and culvert at Newsome Mills, which is the oldest surviving part of the site. The leaseholders have now lodged an appeal against that decision.

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How to make your views heard

The appeal will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate. Previous comments will be considered by the inspector, but you can submit new comments too. So if you haven’t already spoken up for our local heritage, or if you’ve got something new to say, now is the time. Here’s how to make your views heard…

Object to the appeal online now at: www.savenewsomemillponds.org.uk 


Choose ‘Make representation’

Or email: North2@pins.gsi.gov.uk

Or write to: Michael Joyce, The Planning Inspectorate Room 3N, Temple Quay House,
2 The Square, Bristol BS1 6PN 
(you must send 3 copies of your letter).

You must make sure that the Planning Inspector receives your comments by Friday 23rd June 2017.


You must quote this reference in emails and letters:
APP/Z4718/W/17/3173711

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This land at Hart Street, right at the centre of Newsome, is part of the historic Newsome Mills site. It includes the 19th century mill pond, the former mill workers allotments and an avenue of protected trees that lines the approach to the Grade II listed Newsome Mills. It’s well used by wildlife and greatly valued by local residents. Community organisations in the area have asked the leaseholders many times for the use of this land, which we want to keep as open space for the benefit of residents and wildlife.

In 2008 & 2009, very similar plans for this site were turned down after local people campaigned against them. The applicants said there was no demand for land for food growing in Newsome. Since then, we’ve become a community of almost 1,000 food growers, and we would welcome the return of this land to community ownership, so that we can use it in the way that local people want.

What the Planning Inspectorate said in 2009 about the land at Hart Street

“The openness of this previously undeveloped part of the site provides valuable visual relief in what is otherwise a fairly densely developed urban area.

“The loss of previously undeveloped open land resulting from the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area.”

(This was the verdict of Planning Inspector A J Davison, who dismissed an appeal about a similar planning application for this site in August 2009.)

If you agree with this, please add your comments now.

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Print out our campaign leaflet to share with your neighbours

Together we can save our mill ponds – advice sheet (PDF)

Further information

Together we can save our mill ponds – blog

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Two weeks to save our historic mill ponds and greenspace

You have a new opportunity to comment on the latest planning application for the land at Hart Street (planning application number 2016 / 91479), which proposes removing the mill ponds and cramming 22 houses onto the site.

We’re joining other local organisations in letting the Planning Service know that we’re still opposed to these plans – and we’re asking you to do the same.

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You can object to the plans now by using the ‘Make a comment on this application’ link on the Kirklees web site. All previous comments sent to the Planning Service will still be considered, but please take this opportunity to show that you still object to the plans.

The deadline is 16th November 2016.

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This land at Hart Street, right at the centre of Newsome, is part of the historic Newsome Mills site. It includes the 19th century mill pond, the former mill workers allotments and an avenue of protected trees that lines the approach to the Grade II listed Newsome Mills. It’s well used by wildlife and greatly valued by local residents. Community organisations in the area have asked the leaseholders many times for the use of this land, which we want to keep as open space for the benefit of residents and wildlife.

The planning application to build new housing on the site has been on hold since the summer, when Kirklees Council asked the applicants to supply some extra information, including a Heritage Statement and an Ecological Survey. The applicants have now written their own Heritage Statement, which argues that building housing on this land would not affect our local heritage, despite the fact that it would destroy the oldest surviving part of Newsome Mills and would drastically alter the character of our area.

If you value this heritage green space at the heart of Newsome, please object to the outline planning application from leaseholders Benjamin Bentley to build 22 houses on the land at Hart Street.

Local residents, community organisations and our ward councillors are opposing these plans for housing on the site. We want the mill ponds and green space to be kept for the benefit of residents and for wildlife (the ponds are used by bats, herons, geese and ducks). If you value this open space, will you help us?

In 2008 & 2009, very similar plans for this site were turned down after local people campaigned against them. The applicants said there was no demand for land for food growing in Newsome. Since then, we’ve become a community of almost 1,000 food growers, and we would welcome the return of this land to community ownership, so that we can use it in the way that local people want.

What the Planning Inspectorate says about the land at Hart Street

“The openness of this previously undeveloped part of the site provides valuable visual relief in what is otherwise a fairly densely developed urban area.

“The loss of previously undeveloped open land resulting from the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area.”

(This was the verdict of Planning Inspector A J Davison, who dismissed an appeal about a similar planning application for this site in August 2009.)

If you agree with this, please object to the plans now and quote this statement in your letter, email or web comment.

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Share this message on social media

We have two weeks to save the historic mill ponds and greenspace at the heart of Newsome. Will you join us? https://t.co/eYbNcUtTNq pic.twitter.com/1OqbogKo6I

— Growing Newsome (@GrowingNewsome) November 1, 2016

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Print out our campaign leaflet to share with your neighbours

Save Newsome Mill Ponds – November 2016 leaflet (PDF)

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Save Newsome’s historic mill ponds and green space

The land at Hart Street is the subject of a new planning application (2016 / 91479), which proposes removing the mill ponds and cramming 22 houses onto the site. We’re joining other local organisations in opposing these plans.

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You can object to the plans now by using the ‘Make a comment on this application’ link on the Kirklees web site.

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This land at Hart Street, right at the centre of Newsome, is part of the historic Newsome Mills site. It includes the 19th century mill pond, the former mill workers allotments and an avenue of protected trees that lines the approach to the Grade II listed Newsome Mills. It’s well used by wildlife and greatly valued by local residents. Community organisations in the area have asked the leaseholders many times for the use of this land, which we want to keep as open space for the benefit of residents and wildlife.

If you value this heritage green space at the heart of Newsome, please object to the outline planning application from leaseholders Benjamin Bentley to build 22 houses on the land at Hart Street.

Local residents, community organisations and our ward councillors are opposing these plans for housing on the site. We want the mill ponds and green space to be kept for the benefit of residents and for wildlife (the ponds are well-used by bats, herons, geese and ducks). If you value this open space, will you help us?

In 2008 & 2009, very similar plans for this site were turned down after local people campaigned against them. The applicants said there was no demand for land for food growing in Newsome. Since then, we’ve become a community of almost 1,000 food growers, and we would welcome the return of this land to community ownership, so that we can use it in the way that local people want.

What the Planning Inspectorate says about the land at Hart Street

“The openness of this previously undeveloped part of the site provides valuable visual relief in what is otherwise a fairly densely developed urban area.

“The loss of previously undeveloped open land resulting from the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area.”

(This was the verdict of Planning Inspector A J Davison, who dismissed an appeal about a similar planning application for this site in August 2009.)

If you agree with this, please object to the plans now and quote this statement in your letter, email or web comment.

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Share this message on social media

We want to save Newsome's historic mill ponds and green space. Join our campaign: https://t.co/XeVVKB4bGP pic.twitter.com/a5QqXGwZ4C

— Growing Newsome (@GrowingNewsome) June 15, 2016

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Print out our campaign leaflet to share with your neighbours

Save Newsome Mill Ponds leaflet (PDF)

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Growing Newsome and Stirley Farm 2015 – a year in pictures

These pictures celebrate our past year of growing and sharing food together at the Growing Newsome community allotment, at Stirley Farm, and in lots of other places across our community. This year the Growing Newsome elves were finalists in the National Lottery Awards – a huge achievement for a small local group – and Stirley Farm appeared on BBC Countryfile. We have much to celebrate. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with us since the beginning, to everyone who has participated along the way, and those of you who may be our food growers of the future. Enjoy.

Oh, and we can’t look back on 2015 without saying farewell and thank you to our Toby. He even did the washing up before leaving :’-(
 

 

Press the arrows to scroll through the pictures

 

Press the ‘Fullscreen’ button to see a bigger version

Community Allotment Open Morning – 8th August 2015

Corrie star Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) picking redcurrants at our allotment.

Everyone gets a warm welcome at our allotment – whatever the weather.

We welcomed Corrie’s Simon Gregson recently – he came to see how we’ve spent our Lottery funding to make our community allotment easier for our volunteers to look after. But it’s not just TV stars who get to take the tour.

Please come and have a look around at our next open day:

Community Allotment Open Morning
Saturday 8th August 2015
from 10am to 12 noon

Venue: Ashenhurst Avenue allotments, entrance between 67 & 69 Ashenhurst Avenue, Newsome HD4 6PX

We all look after the allotment together, as none of us could manage an allotment on our own. We share in the planning, sowing and growing – then share out what we pick. We also use some of the produce for meals at our community events.

We are always looking for new volunteers. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to grow on an allotment but needs a bit of help, or anyone who has advice to offer to other growers. Please come along to meet us and find out more.

Allotment open day poster (pdf)

Coronation Street star Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) visiting the Growing Newsome community allotment in Huddersfield.

You might also be interested in…

The Kirklees Summer Show in Greenhead Park on the same day.

Growing Newsome and Stirley Farm 2014 – a year in pictures

These pictures celebrate our past year of growing and sharing food together in Newsome – at our community allotment, at Stirley Farm and in lots of other places across our community. This year the Growing Newsome elves quietly celebrated our first five years of growing food together. We hope there will be many more. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with us since the beginning, everyone who has participated along the way, and those of you who may be our food growers of the future. Enjoy.
 

 

Press the arrows to scroll through the pictures
 

Press the ‘Fullscreen’ button to see a bigger version

Are open spaces in Kirklees important to you?

Do you value local open spaces such as allotments, parks, wildlife sites, community orchards and other green spaces?

Kirklees Council are running a survey to find out how often people use open spaces, how important you think they are and whether you’re interested in helping to look after our open spaces.

Make sure you share your views.

Our council are facing huge financial challenges and the results of this survey will help to determine policies about our local open spaces. If you value open spaces, please get involved.

 

Please fill in this short questionnaire to give your views about open spaces in the area where you live. Anyone who uses open spaces in Kirklees is welcome to take part.

Open Space survey

 

Community Allotment Open Morning

Community Allotment 
Open Morning
Saturday 7th June 2014, 10am to 12 noon
Venue: Ashenhurst Allotments, 
off Ashenhurst Avenue, Newsome HD4 6PX

Do you want to grow your own food but are not sure where to start? Do you fancy having an allotment but feel a bit daunted? Do you have a bit of spare time that you’d like to spend getting together with other food growers? Our community allotment could be just the place for you to get growing.

We’re having an open morning on Saturday 7th June so that you can drop in to have a look around and see how we’re getting on. It’s deal for anyone who might be thinking about joining in, or for anyone who would just like to visit. Refreshments are available and everyone is very welcome.

If you’re looking for local volunteering opportunities, this is also a good day to stop by and meet some of the Growing Newsome volunteers. We have lots of opportunities for you to get involved, including:

• digging and planting
• cooking and sharing recipes
• DIY jobs at the allotment
• running stalls and activities
• providing transport
• giving food growing advice

If you’d like to come along to our open day, the entrance to the allotment is between numbers 67 and 69 Ashenhurst Avenue. Follow the path upwards to the green metal gates, then head towards the green shed.

Map showing the footpath from Tunnacliffe Road to the allotment

Need help with transport? Please call Carole on 01484 309188 and we’ll help.

If you’re interested in volunteering but can’t make it on the day, please Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.

Community Allotment Open Day poster (pdf)

Find out more about the Community Allotment

Community Allotment Open Morning & AGM

Community Allotment Open Morning
& Growing Newsome AGM

Saturday 10th August 2013
11am to 12 noon

Everyone is welcome to come and see how we’re getting on at the Community Allotment. Come along to meet the gardeners, see what’s growing, join us for a cup of tea and find out how you can get involved.

You can also find out about the work of Growing Newsome over the past year and hear about what’s coming up in the future.

If you’ve been thinking about taking part in allotment growing (or you know of someone who is interested) this is an ideal time to come along and see if the Community Allotment might be what you’re looking for.

If you have any suggestions for local projects and activities, or you want to tell us how Growing Newsome can help you, please come along to share your ideas. We’d love to hear from you.

Members of other groups are also very welcome to come along and find out more about Growing Newsome.

How to get in touch and where to find us

To book please email Diane at growingnewsome@gmail.com 
or call Cherry on 01484 549401. Please let us know if you’d like some help getting here – we can meet you to walk over or we can find you a lift.

The community allotment entrance is between no.s 67 and 69 Ashenhurst Avenue.