BRADFORD Council has been awarded a £50,000 grant to tackle illegal development in the district’s Greenbelt.

Housing Minister Esther McVey has announced that Bradford will be one of 37 areas across the UK handed a share of £2 million to “ensure the greenbelt remains untouched and protected.”

The Council will be able to spend the money as they see fit but the Government has suggested it could be used to hire more enforcement officers to tackle illegal traveller sites, car parks and residential encroachment onto protected land.

The Minister added: “The public in the Bradford district have told us loud and clear they want it kept Greenbelt for future generations to enjoy.

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“The funding announced will help councils to be vigilant against rogue developers, giving the areas with the highest levels of Green Belt the funds needed to throw the book at those who build illegally.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “We welcome this funding and the Council’s Planning Service will now be firming up proposals to use the money to assist planning enforcement in green belt areas of the district.”