Horsforth residents are to oppose plans for a new

housing estate 'at all costs'.

Plans by Redrow Homes for 57 houses in a green field site off Outwood Lane, Horsforth, were submitted only last Wednesday, but residents are already mounting a campaign against it.

Councillors Chris Townsley and Brian Cleasby fear the plans will create traffic chaos and destroy an important 'green' site in the town.

Coun Townsley said: "There is going to be a lot of flack flying on this because it will create a lot of havoc. It must be resisted at all costs and will create mega traffic problems.

"Outwood Lane is winding and narrow in places and this development could create up to 100 extra cars which is a recipe for disaster in an area which already has problems with too many cars.

"My fellow councillors from inner city wards often remark about the green fields of Horsforth. But this piece of land is one of the last in the town and we cannot afford to lose it. Slowly we are losing all our green spaces."

Resident, town councillor and chairman of Horsforth Civic Society, John Brodwell, said he was very concerned about the plans.

He said: "This area is designated public open space in the local plan and it is similarly designated in the draft Unitary Development Plan. It is also part of the Kirkstall Valley Park and at a planning inquiry in 1985 an applicant made a bid to try change the use of the field to residential but the inspector refused the application.

"This is one of the few open spaces left in Horsforth and it is essential it remains as public open space. It would be very sad to lose it."

He also said that Outwood Lane would not be able to take the extra traffic and also pointed to a very bad bend next to Outwood House.

l Both Couns Cleasby and Townsley have spoken against plans for a two-storey front office extension for Great Minster House on Lister Hills because it could lead to more parking and traffic chaos.

Coun Townsley added: "There are already cars parked in almost every nook and cranny around there, not least because of the nearby railway station. This will create even more problems."

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