Plans to build new social housing near Fitzwilliam revealed amid chronic shortage

Wakefield Council wants to set aside a three hectare site off Field Lane in the Kinsley area for social housing.

It was revealed last week that people in the district are waiting for up to 12 months for social housing, amid a chronic shortage of accommodation.

Senior councillors will discuss plans to develop the Field Lane site next week, with a view to a planning application being submitted in around a year's time.

Should the idea be approved, work is not expected to begin on site until March 2022.

A report going before the council's Cabinet said the homes would be a mix of two and three bed properties.

A small number would be bungalows specially adapted for elderly.

The report also said that one resident had expressed concern about pollution and the potential impact of the development on traffic in the area, when the idea was previously publicised last year.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Coun Darren Byford, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Housing can be key to our economic recovery following the pandemic and delivering more, better and affordable homes is vital to creating and providing places for people to live and be proud to call home.

“Good quality housing is the foundation for economic growth and the priority is for Wakefield to have a high quality housing offer that meets our residents’ needs.

“Disposing of the land in this way also means we have control over the quality, mix, size and pace of delivery as well as provision of specialist housing.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service