'Swampy' and his eco-warriors are ready to move into Silsden to help with the fight against proposals to build 1,500 new homes in the town.

More than 100 people attended a meeting called by Silsden Town Action Group (STAG) on Wednesday in the town's Methodist church hall. They heard chairman Jan Burgoyne say that the 'tree people', currently protesting against the Bingley bypass, were ready to offer their services in the fight against Bradford council's controversial Unitary Develop-ment Plan (UDP), its land-use blueprint.

"All we have to do is give the word and they will be here," she announced.

STAG has campaigned vigorously against the UDP which was adopted by Bradford council in January. Parish councillor, STAG member and local environmentalist Keith Norris warns that much of the town's green belt would be lost forever under concrete.

The crowd was told that nearly 300 new homes have been built in the town since 1991 - a growth of ten per cent.

They also heard that the parishcouncil had written to deputy Prime Minister John Prescott inviting him to see the devastation which would be caused.

Parish council vice-chairman Michael Elsmore said: "The new policies of the Government appear to be protection of the green belt, reducing dependence on the private car, protecting the environment and cutting pollution. If that is so then Bradford council's UDP is contravening all of these."

He says that since the BBC's recent Panorama programme on green belt land - which featured Silsden - there has been almost daily press coverage, and the noises coming from Westminster are a little more encouraging. He said he also supports comments from Mr Prescott's department that a ban on green-field development is maintained until all 'brown' (more urban) areas are used up.

Cllr Elsmore also added support to introducing a tax on green belt development. "VAT is not paid by builders for developments on green belt land but they do have to pay it on brown-field sites," he said. "We in Silsden need assurances from the Government that their policies will be carried out by local authorities and that our green-field sites will be protected for future generations."

He offered an idea that farmers and landowners wishing to protect their land could create a covenant or offer it to the parish council which could raise money by various means and create a common land around Silsden. "This is only a personal suggestion and not the policy of the parish council," he said.

Mrs Burgoyne said STAG will continue with its fight against the UDP proposals and appealed for other people to come forward and help.

"We have battled for over four years," she says. "We are not giving in but it would be nice to get some more help."

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