Second round in land fight (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Second round in land fight

Battle lines are being re-drawn in a new fight against proposals to build homes on a green field site.

Julie Pinchbeck on Micklethwaite swing bridge, which she fears could not cope with more traffic

It comes five years after protesters won a reprieve from a planning inspector who ruled building could not be considered in Greenhill and Sty Lane, Micklethwaite, until this year.

At the time, residents – fearing the prospect of 600 new homes – sent 1,500 objections to Bradford Council’s Unitary Development Plan.

Now, construction companies Redrow and Bellway have kick-started the process by leafletting residents to get their views on future development.

People have responded by organising a public meeting on Friday, October 9, at St Aidan’s Church, Canal Road, Crossflatts at 7.30pm.

Agreeing to attend are the area’s MP Philip Davies and Councillor David Heseltine.

Mr Davies said he would oppose any plans for development and it was “outrageous” that it was left as part of the the UDP.

“I would defy anybody to look at that beautiful countryside and say it’s a good place to build houses,” he said.

“We have taken our fair share of development in this area and we must draw a line and say things will go too far if we allow development there.”

Richard Kunz, 40, of Greenhill, said: “Even though there is no plan I think we can express a clear community voice. There is huge opposition. Redrow held a meeting at St Aidans a week ago to issue forms for people to fill in and the place was packed.”

Major concerns were about the potential of Micklethwaite swing bridge to take the extra traffic, the wildfowl fields along side the canal and impact on local services.

Mr Kunz said: “The highway issue is pivotal to planning approval being given. The surrounding roads are totally unsuitable for the existing traffic never mind another potential 1,000 road users.”

Judy Pinchbeck, of Bridge Cottage, said: “Traffic already backs up on this bridge. I dread to think what it would be like with hundreds of new homes here.”

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “This site was first identified in the UDP adopted in 1998. It is now designated with the RUDP, adopted in 2005, as a phase two housing site which means it is earmarked for possible development in accordance with national policies for housing expansion.”

No-one at Redrow or Bellway was available for comment.

e.mail: clive.white@telegraphandargus.co.uk