Westgate, Cleckheaton: Construction site air quality and safety updates
Following complaints and concerns from residents regarding the construction site in Cleckheaton, this page provides the latest information and details the actions we are taking to make sure the site is managed safely.
Latest update: 30 January 2026
Since residents first brought their concerns to the council about the construction site at Westgate, Cleckheaton, we have been working hard to make sure local homes and families remain safe.
The council and its partners have carried out several actions:
- We have now carried out over 50 monitoring visits to the site to make sure nearby properties remain safe and to ensure that the right procedures are in place.
- We have commissioned independent air testing around the perimeter of the site which determine if any fibres are in the air leaving the site. Air testing has taken place on 40 separate occasions over an 8-week period between 4 November 2025 and 9 January 2026.
No concerns have been raised by any of the air monitoring or testing results.
- We have reviewed the various documents, processes and procedures that constructors must follow to keep their sites safe.
- We have undertaken proactive monitoring around the initial piling activity to understand the impacts of piling.
- We have worked with the developer to increase the steps it is taking to stop dust escaping from the site. Extra precautions were put in place to minimise the movement of dust even further.
- Where appropriate, we continue to work with partner organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive and the UK Health Security Agency, taking on board their expert advice.
We understand that residents have concerns and we want to do even more to address them. That's why, over the coming days and weeks, we are planning extra action:
- We will continue to visit the site and work with the developer and our partner organisations, as the development progresses, to make sure the strict rules on managing sites like this are followed.
- We will publish more information on our website based on the questions residents have asked us so that everyone can be aware of the facts.
We will continue to keep residents updated as we carry out these extra actions.
If you see a significant increase in the amount of dust leaving the site, or notice significant amounts accumulating on your property, call us as soon as possible.
Your timely cooperation helps us monitor the situation as and how it changes.
Real-time officer observations are vital to our investigation. Being notified at the time of the issue also means we can act quickly by notifying site management.
Direct numbers to reach our Pollution Team for immediate call-out:
- Phone 01484 226205 - Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:45pm
- Phone 01484 225474 - Out of hours
- Monday to Thursday: 17:15pm - 1am (the next day)
- 16:45pm Friday - 1am Saturday
- 9am Saturday - 1am Sunday
- 9am Sunday - 1am Monday
We will not hesitate to take further action if we find the existing dust control measures are inadequate.
If you experience any difficulty getting through on the phone, email us at: pollution@kirklees.gov.uk with your name, address, and telephone number, and we will respond as soon as possible.
We would like to thank all residents who have contacted us. We hope our continued actions and monitoring efforts provide reassurance and demonstrate our commitment to addressing your concerns.
A brownfield site is previously developed land which is no longer in use. Across the country, brownfield sites are a preferred spot for development and house building - it revitalises derelict land whilst creating opportunities for local people.
It is common for brownfield sites to have previously been sites of industrial activity where contaminants can be left behind in the buildings or soil. Due to this, there are serious conditions to meet when you are developing brownfield land and the regulations from government are rigorous.
These processes make sure that brownfield sites can be managed, remediated and developed safely at every stage - from the planning process until final land use. All brownfield sites go through a rigorous process to manage risks and protect local people and the environment.
Land developers are required by law to employ a contaminated land specialist if there is any risk that the land could be contaminated, which developers of the Westgate site have in place.
Contaminated land specialists are private companies which test the land for contaminants and create plans for the developer to safely manage any contaminants that exist. They are required to supervise the site and give evidence to the council throughout the project.
It is the responsibility of the developer to safely manage their site and to take direction from their contaminated land specialist. The council is only called upon if unexpected contaminants are identified, or if we receive complaints from residents.