PLANE spotters could soon have a formal viewing spot - if plans to improve an area near Leeds Bradford Airport go ahead.

The land at Plane Tree Hill, off Bayton Lane, Yeadon, is popular with aviation enthusiasts and walkers.

But it is also well used by bike riders and illegal fly tippers who dump builders rubbish, tyres and industrial waste.

Now, calls have been made for the whole area to be tidied up and a formal maintenance programme drawn up - once the area's complicated ownership is sorted out.

Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale) said: "The present situation is unacceptable. The area is neglected and run down and something needs to be done."

Coun Fox has had assurances from Leeds City Council that the whole problem is being looked into and he is hopeful that the area will eventually be tidied up.

"At least a start has been made looking into the problem. I would like to see a general environmental enhancement for the area incorporating a more formal airport viewing point.

"I hope there will be consultation with nearby residents at an early stage once the ownership issues have been resolved. Then we can look at the question of funding, eventually I hope to see a major improvement in this part of Yeadon."

At the moment, the main access to Plane Tree Hill is a heavily rutted, uneven track.

Coun Fox said: "This has been made worse by bike riders devastating the landscape with their activities generating muddy conditions during wet weather.

"There have been a number of instances when people have been injured and the noisy activities have understandably upset people living in nearby houses."

Coun Fox claimed the whole area suffered from a lack of management on top of an ongoing problem with litter and illegal dumping.

"Apart from being a favourite spot for the plane enthusiasts, the area is well used for recreational purposes.

"It lies immediately adjacent to the airport perimeter fence and is crossed by public footpaths, one of which runs alongside Hors-forth Golf course towards Scotland Lane."

Following residents' complaints, Coun Fox discovered management of the area was the responsibility of Leeds City Council's property arm, the Leeds Development Agency.

But the ownership was joint, with some in private ownership and the rest by the airport authority and Leeds City Council.

Coun Fox said tackling problems at the site would involve a comprehensive scheme currently in the planning stage.

But he added there would be difficulties because of the joint ownership.

"There might also be highways concerns about the access to the site and the dangers of generating more traffic, but the biggest single hurdle will be getting funding."

A council spokesman said: "We are taking steps to bring forward proposals for the area, but there is a long way to go. Firstly, the site is owned by several different people, secondly, there are serious issues of access, and thirdly, of course, funding will have to be found. For these reasons, it is too early to say more than that."