Purpose

In 2018, the Council appointed Thirteen Group
as its preferred development partner to deliver housing across the
district. On 22nd May 2024, an option agreement was exchanged
between Kirklees Council and Thirteen Group for the Heckmondwike
Road site.
This agreement restricted the Council from
engaging with alternative developers, with a long stop date of 31
March 2026.
 
Following this, Thirteen Group undertook site
investigations at Heckmondwike, which identified significant
constraints. These issues rendered the site unviable for the
balance of social/affordable housing development expected.
 
Thirteen has provided Housing Growth with
evidence supporting these findings. Based on this information, it
is considered appropriate to terminate the option agreement with
Thirteen Group.
 
This decision also removes the site from the
Housing Growth Programme and therefore allows Strategic Asset
colleagues to bring forward alternative options for the site.

Content

Decision to terminate the option agreement
between Kirklees Council and Thirteen Group for Heckmondwike Road
and the decision to remove the site from the Housing Growth
Programme.