PLANNING permission for the first stage of the Wharfedale Greenway has been granted by Bradford Council.

Planners have given the green light to detailed plans for construction of the traffic free cycling, walking and equestrian path between Otley and Burley-in-Wharfedale, comprising of preliminary works, provision of access controls and fencing and three bridges to allow access over existing highway have been granted this week by Bradford planners.

This follows planning permission being approved by Leeds City Council for the stretch of the Greenway that will run into Otley and means that the entire Phase 1 stretch now has planning permission approved, subject to compliance with set conditions.

The news has been welcomed by the applicant Burley-in-Wharfedale Parish Council who will now work with Sustrans, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other external agencies to try to secure the necessary funding to turn the Greenway into a reality.

Chair of Burley Parish Council Jan Lepley said: “Parish Council support for the Greenway was contained in the Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2030 and we are really pleased that the significant milestone of planning permission has now been achieved. We will now work with Sustrans and others to ensure that all the conditions of planning are met. The Greenway will be a fantastic facility particularly for families and children who can have access to secure, traffic free, cycling and walking connecting Otley and Burley-in-Wharfedale.”

The planning application had attracted 34 representations consisting of five general comments, 19 objections and ten letters of support.

Objections raised included concerns around the loss of trees and shrubs, harm to wildlife and habitats, the use of the route by walkers, cyclists and horse riders presenting pedestrian safety issues, fears it could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour, concerns the route overlooks residential gardens, adverse water drainage issues as a result of an increase in hard surfacing, land ownership and the impact of the proposed bridges.

These concerns have been addressed in the planning officer's report which sets a number of conditions, including a requirement for boundary screening, replacement planting and the submission of details of the bridges to be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

It is hoped subsequent phases of the Wharfedale Greenway will see the route connect with Menston and eventually be extended through Ilkley and possibly as far as Bolton Abbey and heading east, the greenway could link to Pool-in-Wharfedale.