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Formation of the Community Group

Farnley Estates Limited owns 2000 acres of land and farms around and within the Village of Farnley Tyas. In October 2005, a consultant working on behalf of Farnley Estates Limited, met with some people in the community and presented a report of his findings.

Farnley Estates Limited began the initiative because it was reviewing business plans for all its interests and Farnley Estates Limited wanted to consult with local people before submitting its proposals to Kirklees Council. However residents felt that the findings were not entirely representative as it had not involved the whole community. 

The consultant introduced some residents to the Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC) and they recommended the production of a Parish Plan and/or a Village Design Statement. As a result, in early 2006, two residents attended a seminar by YRCC which helped focus on the possibility of preparing a Parish Plan. Farnley Tyas is a small part of the parish of Kirkburton so this could alternatively be called a ‘Village Plan’ or better still a ‘Community Plan’ which would better describe that our focus is Farnley Tyas and not the whole parish.

An interim steering group was established. With assistance from YRCC the steering group was shown examples prepared by other communities in Yorkshire and believed that it would be beneficial for Farnley Tyas to prepare a ‘Parish/Community Plan’.

Public meetings were held and in February 2006 a newsletter was distributed asking for feedback on forming a Community Group, preparing a Parish Plan, seeking volunteers and to raise any issues. Feedback was very supportive and there then began the process to form the Community Group and prepare a Community Plan.

As a result of the feedback from the newsletter, a constitution, budget, timetable, committee and four working parties (based around the main themes of Community, Development & Environment, Farnley Estates Liaison and Traffic & Transport) were developed. We applied for and obtained funding via YRCC to produce a Community Plan. At an open meeting held at the Bowling Club on 10th October 2006, the Community Group and a Committee were formally appointed. The constitution can be viewed on our website.

The Community Group is formally affiliated to the Kirkburton and District Civic Society. 

Area of Influence

The questionnaire was distributed to homes within the original boundary defined in the constitution. This original area contains 165 properties and was defined by the envelope comprising:

• The Village of Farnley Tyas,
• Honley Road as far as the junction with Northgate,
• Woodsome Road as far as the junction with St. Helen’s Gate
• Bankfoot Road as far as the turn off for Low Common Farm,
• The area up to Lumb Dike,
• Farnley Road as far as the junction with Storthes Hall Lane,
• Thurstonland Road as far as the junction with Green Side Road,
• Moor Lane,
• Brockholes Road as far as the junction with Ludhill Lane,

Land owned by Farnley Estates Limited generally within the envelope described above. During late 2007 the area was reviewed. The reasons considered were that residents were members of the congregation of St Lucius Church or children attended Farnley Tyas School. As a result of the review the area increased by 65 properties by including:

• Storthes Hall Lane
• Greenside Road
• Ludhill

The boundary is shown within this document and

represents in total 230 properties.

Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC)

YRCC is an independent voluntary organisation and registered charity whose aims are to support and encourage rural communities to:

• Influence their own future
• Improve their social and economic environment
• Secure a range of community facilities and services

For further information:

William House, Shipton Road, Skelton, York YO30 1XF

Tel: 0845 3130270 Fax: 0845 3130271

Email: yrcc@yrcc.org.uk

Website: www.yorkshirerrc.org.uk