Bradford’s four biggest political groups have united in favour of plans to create an eco-community along the Bradford to Shipley canal corridor.

Proposals to build 5,000 new homes along the three-mile stretch of brown-field land have received cross-party support.

Leading politicians in Brad-ford spoke out in favour of an eco-community in the district after the Government formally accepted plans for sustainable communities at four locations in Yorkshire, including the Brad-ford site.

Earlier plans to build an eco-town in Yorkshire were rejected by the Leeds City Region Partnership in favour of regenerating existing sites in the Aire Valley in Leeds, the Bradford to Shipley canal corridor, north-west York and north Kirklees.

Councillor Adrian Naylor, regeneration chief for Conser-vative-led Bradford Council, said: “It’s a major hurdle overcome in that the Government is now actively engaging with this project. With the support of the housing minister, Iain Wright, we are actively working with the Government to promote the eco-communities.”

Coun Ian Greenwood, leader of the Council’s Labour group, said: “This represents a major housing opportunity and a great chance to further improve the Canal Road area, which is one of the major arterial routes into Bradford.

“We need more houses and this is an opportunity to create houses with good transport links.”

Coun Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Council’s Liberal Democrat group, said: “If it means we are going to build houses that people can afford to buy or rent and there’s a minimal impact on the environment then that’s to be welcomed.”

She said good-quality public space should be included in the development to allow residents in the new community to enjoy the environment. She also said a new rail station in Manningham would help the area.

Coun Martin Love, leader of the Council’s Green party, said: “Any improvement in the carbon emissions status of the housing stock is to be welcomed.

“The canal corridor is as good an area as any for this type of development but we can’t build new homes without building the infrastructure first.

“Developers must be made to provide money for schools, shops, medical facilities and transport improvements.”