Opportunistic locals could BUY UP homeowners’ gardens without them knowing it
A GROUP of residents in Huddersfield face losing their gardens depending on a decision in October.
A group of residents in Huddersfield face losing their gardens after a council decision
Angry homeowners living in Taylor Hill Road in Huddersfield face losing their back lawns because they’re actually owned by Kirklees Council.
For years, the gardens have been rented from the council for as little as £30 to £100 a year.
But now Kirklees Council plans to take back the land and move forward with proposals to replace the gardens with 39 properties.
The residents’ story was told on ITV’s Garden Nightmares, and they were adamant the plans would “ruin their community”.
One of the residents was a race pigeon keeper, who faces losing all his pigeons if the plans happen
While the council has promised everyone living in Taylor Hill Road that conserving green space in the area was a priority, the residents say they “feel sick” at the thought of their gardens turning into someone’s bathroom or backyard.
One homeowner speaking on the show said: “I understand houses have to be put somewhere, but maybe it’s me just being selfish - I don’t want them in my back garden.”
Others claimed there were plenty of places in the area which could be used for housing instead.
The council have promised to build 29,000 houses by 2030.
The residents say the new development could
It’s the third time the Taylor Hill gardens have appeared on the council’s planning agenda.
The reason issues like this are happening across the UK is down to the current housing crisis.
One of the homeowners was a man whose family had lived in Taylor Hill for more than than 50 years.
He pointed out a shed in his garden which had once belonged to his dad, who died 50 years ago.
Another was a race pigeon keeper, who revealed that if the residents lose the land, all the pigeons he owns “will die” as there will be nowhere for them to return.
A decision on whether the council’s plans will go head will be discussed in October.
This comes after a home belonging to couple who appeared on Grand Designs went on the market for £3.8million.
In 2010, Tim and Jo Lucas bought a plot of land in Kew for £400,000, and then worked with their friend and renowned architect, Stuart Piercy, to come up with the design.