AIREBOROUGH'S MP is urging Leeds planners to throw out a scheme to build 200 homes and offices on a Guiseley factory site.

In a letter of objection to Leeds City Council, Paul Truswell warns that the proposed mixed use development of the old Brook Crompton plot would be larger than the area can bear.

And he insists the Netherfield Road scheme, from developers St Modwen Ventures Ltd and Bellway Homes, should not be considered in isolation as it would take the number of new homes coming on-stream in the area to more than 1,100.

Mr Truswell said: "The proposed outline plan would exceed a reasonable estimation of what this neighbourhood should, and is able to, bear in terms of yet more new development."

And he has renewed his demand for the city council to compile an Action Plan under the Government Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004.

He said: "The piecemeal approach taken in recent years has not served Guiseley well -- especially when some of the developments had been anticipated years in advance.

"This should take the form of a 'Plan for Guiseley' or, if more appropriate in planning terms, a wider area of the A65 corridor, and take account of other potential sites."

While welcoming the Netherfield Road project's employment-land component -- some 25,000 sq ft is planned -- Mr Truswell fears the developers will eventually say there's a 'lack of demand' for it and then apply for even more housing.

He said: "I welcome the fact that employment use will be retained for some of the site, although my reading of the application is that the developers may wish in due course to reduce the amount of office space, subject to marketing and demand, and increase the proportion of housing."

Turning to the implications for public transport, he said: "The existence of a local rail station and line is continually used as partial justification for agreeing such plans, and for allowing higher densities that 30-50 properties per hectare.

"This has totally ignored the fact that this increase in residential accommodation has not been accompanied by an increase in capacity. Yet there continues to be increasing overcrowding at peak times.

"A condition of any permission for this site should include a contribution towards increasing this peak-time capacity, as already suggested by Metro in respect of the Silver Cross site.

"Bus services are grossly inadequate, and are highly unlikely to provide a public transport alternative to many workers or residents on the new site.

"Part of the site is an existing car park, which I argue should be retained as such and made available as a car park for Guiseley station.

"Without a car park all of the increased housing in this area will lead to an increase in the already extensive on-street parking in all the surrounding streets to Guiseley station."

Mr Truswell is also concerned that the developers are proposing little green space within the boundary of the developable part of the site and at the lack of widespread consultation.

He said: "I think this is unacceptable and any scheme must provide a significant element of public green space.

"And I would have expected that, for a site of this significance, a more meaningful attempt would have been made to consult interested sections of the community.

"There needs to be a serious attempt to sit down with a cross section of people from Guiseley to discuss how this site and others might be developed and how the infrastructure needs supporting to make such developments feasible."