Clifton village

THORNHELLS

#GardenVillageNightmares

We’re examining the evidence behind Calderdale’s Local Plan and South East Calderdale proposals — including borrowing levels, planned housing and employment growth, and the extent to which infrastructure and air quality impacts are addressed.

Statement

Thornhells began as a focused response to the South East Calderdale/Thornhills proposals — to test the evidence, question assumptions and present the material in a way that residents could follow.

That approach remains important. But the same issues — viability, transport, delivery and accountability — extend across Calderdale.

We are therefore moving to a wider platform that will:

  • explain what is being proposed across the borough
  • examine the evidence behind key decisions
  • provide short, accessible briefings ahead of Cabinet and Council

Thornhells will remain online as a reference point for the Thornhills application.

Details of our new analysis and briefings will be published in May 2026

4 March 2026

Thornhills Phase 1a planning application:
the transport assessment reveals traffic increases

📢 Thornhills Phase 1A – now 260 homes
The first planning application for Thornhills above Brighouse has already changed.
The developer has reduced the scheme from 308 to 260 homes.
But the core questions remain:
• traffic impacts on Brighouse
• safe routes to schools and amenities
• whether the wider site can actually be delivered
Residents still have time to review the plans and submit comments.
Find out more, including how to respond

Clifton gets 650k – but is it right for Calderdale?

30 December 2025

At a time of deepening poverty, Calderdale is proposing to allocate £650,000 to Clifton Business Park.

Find out why we believe the spending undermines the Council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy and offers no guaranteed benefit to struggling residents.

Spending money at Clifton undermines Calderdale's anti-poverty strategy

A new home for ThornHELLS content

12 April 2026

Today (12 April 2026), we wrote to our subscribers to confirm that ThornHELLS will close in early May 2026.

Our work is evolving into a broader platform focused on clear, accessible and evidence-based reporting on Calderdale. We will share details of our new home shortly.

Thank you for your support, encouragement and engagement throughout.

Further updates will follow.

12/04/26