Site may be built on after losing green belt status

A councillor has said the "fight goes on" to save a plot of land that could be developed after being removed from the green belt.

Bradford Council has approved an application to build 60 homes on a field off Highgate Grove in Clayton Heights despite 250 objections.

A similar scheme was refused two years ago because at the time the site was part of the green belt.

However, under changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, some of these rural sites can be reclassified as "grey belt" to allow building.

Grey belt land is often considered to be of lower quality or has been previously developed.

Councillor Alex Mitchell, who attended the regulatory and appeals committee meeting where the scheme was dealt with, said: "I'm very disappointed that this has been approved in principle, especially given how similar it is to the proposal that was refused on the same site only recently."

"Residents remain deeply worried about the impact on local highways, where existing congestion, parking pressures, and road safety concerns are well known in Clayton Heights and Queensbury," he added.

"None of these issues can be properly assessed without seeing the detailed plans."

He said the applicants, Aura Land, must return with a full and detailed application as soon as possible.

Mitchell added: "The Queensbury Labour team will continue to work closely with residents to scrutinise those plans, raise concerns around highways and other local impacts, and ensure the community's voice remains central as the process continues.

"The fight is not over, it goes on."

Gavin Reid, 66, is retired and lives on nearby Lingfield Terrace, opposite Highgate Grove.

He said: "I like the fact that at the bottom of the road we have a field that is just empty, we can see views across the valley and sheep in it.

"Now it's just going to be lots more housing.

"I understand why they want to do it on a nice, virgin field and of course they are all going to be large, prestigious family homes.

"You go into Bradford and there is loads of empty land that was formerly industrial. All that land can be converted into housing."

Nancy Jones, 65, also lives on the street with her husband Neil.

She said: "I just think it's disgusting. There's wildlife over there. It's a green belt. There's sheep, there's cattle, it's just not right."

At last week's meeting Richard Mowat, agent for Aura Land, argued the development would be a "logical extension to Clayton Heights".

The council's planning officer said it would be a planned extension to an existing residential area rather than an "uncontrolled sprawl" into fields.

Councillors were told 21 out of the 60 proposed homes would be reserved as affordable housing.

Four members voted to approve the development and two voted against.

In a push to increase housebuilding, the government introduced the "grey belt" policy in 2024.

It is supposed to exclude land which provides a genuine "buffer" between urban settlements.

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