Council and developer collaborating to build more than 300 homes

Kirklees Council is working with Keepmoat Homes to develop 319 homes on land it owns in Soothill, Batley.

This development will include 65 affordable homes and will also feature public rights of way, enhanced landscaping and high-quality recreation space.

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

Homes England’s 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).

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 helps 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.”

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.”

Planning permission for the development was granted last month.

The first stage of work is due to start this month. Following completion of these site preparation works, construction will begin in March 2022.