Hundreds object to homes plan for green belt land
BBCMore than 900 people have lodged objections to plans to build hundreds of homes on green belt land in Bradford.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes have submitted a planning application to Bradford Council for 295 houses on green space off Fleet Lane in Queensbury.
The site lies within the green belt, but the application claims the land should be classed as grey belt as it "does not strongly contribute to green belt purposes".
The local authority is due to make a decision on the application in July.
Since opening for comments two weeks ago the application has received 919 objections along with 10 supporting statements as of 21:00 BST on Wednesday.
Judy Wetherell, from the Fleet Lane 300 residents' group, said: "The main reasons for not wanting to build on this green belt land is because there are several sites around that are designated brown or grey belt land that could easily be developed instead.
"We appreciated that the council has to find more areas for housing development, but at the moment they are focussing on this area and they are totally saturating it."
The proposed 11-hectare space is the largest of nine housing sites proposed for Queensbury, extending from Fleet Lane to Old Guy Road.
The land is included in Bradford Council's draft local plan, which sets out locations for future housing.
Objectors have highlighted issues including traffic, the impact on nature and protected bird species and increased pressure on local schools and GP surgeries.
Gillian Wade, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said: "We've seen Queensbury getting bigger and bigger with various developments moving in.
"One of my main objections is that this is a lovely area for people to walk in and enjoy nature - if you take this away where are people going to go?"
She added: "They can't just nip out for a walk because all they're going to find is houses and cars."
Sport England also warned future residents would be at risk of being struck by cricket balls from a nearby club if the development went ahead.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes said there was "an urgent need" to boost private and affordable housing in the area.
"This site has been identified for housing in the most recent version of the local plan and the council is proposing to remove it from the green belt," a spokesperson said.
"If planning permission is granted, the development would deliver 25% affordable housing."
Green belts were established more than 70 years ago with five purposes, including restricting the sprawl of urban areas and protecting the countryside.
As part of the government's pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, some low-quality green belt land will be freed up as grey belt to allow new homes to be built.
A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "Planning policy matters relating to the concept of grey belt have been set out by the government.
"Local planning authorities are required to take this policy and guidance into account when assessing planning applications, along with all other relevant planning policies and other material planning considerations."
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