THE Yorkshire Moors in Bradford district are set to get increased protection next week at a meeting of the Council’s executive.

Councillors will adopt the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area/Special Area of Conservation Planning Framework on Tuesday.

The SPA and SAC mean designated moorland sites can be protected from housing development and nearby housebuilding pressures on wildlife, such as disturbance, increased risk of wildfires, pollution, fly tipping and invasive plant species being introduced.

The framework also sets out contributions developers will have to make to avoid or mitigate any impact from their work.

Included are key feeding areas for specific bird species and a blanket bog of international importance.

It follows previous work done to protect moorland such as the joint awareness campaign with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to avoid moorland fires from barbecues and the Public Space Protection Order which banned their use from 2019, installing a 150 metre boardwalk at Crawshaw Moss to protect the bog from erosion with the help of Friend of Ilkley Moor, and collaborative work with mountain biking groups to protect moorland and repair routes in a scheme developed and approved by Natural England

Keighley West Councillor Paul Godwin (Labour), who represents Bradford Council at the Pennine Prospects group, said: “The South Pennines plays a hugely important role to Keighley & Ilkley as well as the wider district.

“Our moorland is the envy of the world and a huge asset not just for tourism and leisure but for the environment and biodiversity too.

“I believe it can play an even greater role in our future too so I’m pleased to see this report come forward to strengthen our commitment to protecting such a special and important part of our district.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for planning, regeneration and transport, added: "We have worked with partners and local groups to ensure this strategy complements our ongoing operational work to protect and improve our wonderful moorland for future generations."

Bradford Council's executive committee will formally adopt the SPA and SAC framework at their next meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, July 6, at 10.30am.