Campaigners against development on green fields in the Bradford district have backed a report which urges the property industry to support residents and communities.

A report published by the independent Land and Society Commission, established by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, describes a new basis for the relationship between developers and local communities.

The commission has said it has evidence of the need for greater co-operation to dismiss preconceptions that community involvement can hinder private sector investment.

The report offers 24 recommendations, including consulting communities before development plans are drawn up so sites can be constructed in a more sustainable manner and to a higher specification.

Heaton Township Association chairman Elizabeth Hellmich, who is spearheading a drive to prevent building on green fields across the Bradford district, said: “The main thing is the planning officers do need to get in and work with the community.

“Similar to local councillors, they need to have a knowledge of the area they are working in. They pass things without ever visiting them and they don’t understand the knock-on effect it can have on communities.

“If the people in that area know the planners are considering what they want and how they want things to look, I think planners would find it is a lot easier to get developments through.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We welcome the contribution to the issue made by this report and will consider its recommendations.”

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