ANOTHER battle line has been drawn in the increasingly difficult fight to protect the district’s greenbelt land.

Proposals to build 500 homes on the greenbelt in Burley-in-Wharfedale will concern those who want to see our green spaces protected for future generations to enjoy.

One high-profile opponent of the scheme, Shipley MP Philip Davies, has stated that all brownfield sites in the Bradford district need to be developed before building on the greenbelt is even considered - a stance that is consistent with the aims of the Telegraph & Argus’ Save Our Green Spaces campaign.

MP BLASTS PLANS TO BUILD 500 HOMES ON GREENBELT LAND

Mr Davies’ comments seem even more pertinent at a time when the Bradford Property Forum is calling for greenbelt land to be developed if Bradford’s economy is to grow and compete with its neighbours.

The property forum’s controversial view is perhaps unsurprising as the majority of those who attend are involved in the construction or development industry, but it’s an unhelpful voice when there’s so much pressure on the district’s green spaces.

The Bradford district has many brownfield sites which, with the necessary remedial works, would be perfectly suitable for housing and could accommodate thousands of homes.

In comparison to fields, former industrial sites may require more effort before they are ‘shovel-ready’.

But, if we fail to redevelop brownfield sites, we will be taking up more of our green spaces than necessary while leaving derelict inner city sites to continue rotting away, thereby ignoring the vital need to improve the state of the urban landscape as well.