Leeds claim LDF plan objection is valid (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Leeds claim LDF plan objection is valid

8:00am Thursday 5th January 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter

A senior councillor insists Leeds is not spoiling for a fight, despite plans to object to proposals for hundreds of new homes across Bradford.

Councillor Richard Lewis said Leeds City Council is just expressing a “legitimate concern” about plans for the homes in Menston and Holme Wood under Bradford Council’s core strategy Local Development Framework (LDF).

The Bradford plan, which sets out a vision for the district for 2028 and includes 45,500 new homes in total, includes building 900 homes in Menston and potentially 2,700 for the Holme Wood and Tong areas.

A consultation is under way over the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment – the first stage of deciding which areas can be built on – and now Leeds will write to Bradford objecting to the strategy in relation to the homes at Menston and Holme Wood. A report to yesterday’s Leeds City Council executive board meeting said there were traffic concerns and issues surrounding the potential “merging” of the two cities.

The plans will cause “excessive traffic congestion” in Leeds, specifically along the A657 and A65, and will “close the strategic gap with Leeds, leading toward the merging of Leeds and Bradford”.

Coun Lewis, executive member for city development, said the decision to object is valid, but played down talk of a rift between the neighbouring authorities. Councillors backed a recommendation to object to the Bradford LDF, but also called for a closer working relationship between the two authorities.