RESIDENTS of a small village in Baildon are to learn today about the future of land surrounding the Esholt water treatment works which is no longer needed by Bradford-based Yorkshire Water.

A public consultation event was being held to open discussions over the surplus 50 acres of land around the utility firm’s site in Esholt.

As a result of new technology the operational footprint of the water treatment works has reduced significantly in recent years, which has left large areas of land redundant and unused.

The parts of the site to be redeveloped include former operational works such as old filter beds and primary tanks, the firm confirmed.

Yorkshire Water and Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water, have assembled a team to generate ideas for the future use of the areas of vacant land and has begun engaging with local residents and councillors to canvass opinion.

Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) said the site to be developed was split over two wards, with an 11 acre plot in Baildon, and a much larger site in Idle and Thackley ward.

She added that local residents had received leaflets inviting them to the consultation events today and that local councillors had spoken to Yorkshire Water last week.

“I have a number of questions to put to them at the consultation event. Esholt is a tiny village so any development will have a major effect, both on traffic and local amenities.

“We’ve been told the Baildon part of the site will be housing, but we don’t know how many at this stage. It looks like the Idle and Thackley part will be industrial.

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“We’ve also been assured that any construction traffic will not be going through Esholt village, but at the moment the road through the Yorkshire Water site from Esholt to Apperley Bridge is private and people need a permit to use it.

“Any changes could turn it into a rat run.”

She added that there was also a mention of a country park and that the homes would be sustainable.

“It’s an interesting site as it will be brownfield, but it is within the greenbelt.”

Two consultation events were being held today at the Esholt Sports and Leisure Club on Esholt Lane in Baildon. They are running at 2pm and 6pm and then on Wednesday, July 18, there will be a further two sessions also at 2pm and 6pm to build on the feedback from the first event. Both events will include a short presentation, followed by round-table workshops.

Registration to attend the events is via the website esholtpositiveliving.co.uk.