Measures to encourage the creation of Free Schools are unlikely to help the Bradford district or provide additional secondary schools, says a ward councillor.

Bradford councillor, Adrian Naylor (Ind, Craven), has spoken out on planning rule changes and the need for new schools in Bradford, following proposals by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.

Coun Naylor (pictured) does not believe relaxing planning rules will provide much-needed schools for the district.

He said: “I'm afraid it is unlikely to be of much use to Bradford, which, with its increasing young population and the threat of an additional 45,000 houses, has a critical need for several new schools.”

Mr Pickles blamed council planning departments and red tape for slowing down the creation of free schools.