Fears over housing plan for green belt fields

Campaigners fighting a plan to build 295 homes on green belt land in Bradford have called a public meeting to highlight their opposition to the scheme.

The Fleet Lane 300 group want to stress the depth of feeling about the proposed development on fields next to Fleet Lane in Queensbury.

Building work can only go ahead if the land is reclassified as grey belt by Bradford Council under new legislation introduced by the government in 2024.

Organiser Judy Wetherell said all three ward councillors were invited to the meeting at Victoria Hall later and that residents felt their objections "weren't being heard".

She said: "I think the residents just want to be able to express their views to the councillors, how deeply concerned they are.

"Just to get a feeling of if the councillors appreciate what their views are and that they will support them when it finally does get to planning panel."

A total of 991 objections to the proposals have been lodged against the scheme.

The proposed 11-hectare space is the largest of nine housing sites proposed for Queensbury, extending from Fleet Lane to Old Guy Road.

It is included in Bradford Council's draft local plan, which sets out locations for future housing.

Wetherell said: "We appreciate that we do need more social housing, we just think it needs to be thought through and built in an appropriate place.

"Building on green belt land, on narrow country roads where residents already struggle in winter to get in and out, we don't think is appropriate."

Issues such as traffic, the impact on nature and protected bird species, including the red-list Skylark, as well as increased pressure on local schools and GP surgeries have been highlighted.

Councillor Alex Mitchell said he would be at the meeting and that he and Councillor Hazel Johnson had helped residents formally submit their concerns.

"Residents feeling unheard is something I take extremely seriously," he said.

"The public meeting is an important opportunity for residents to share their views, and we will continue to support that engagement.

"Planning decisions must follow policy, but local concerns about traffic, infrastructure pressure, environmental impact and loss of openness are material considerations that must be weighed carefully."

Councillor Luke Majowski has not confirmed if he would attend.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes said previously there was "an urgent need" to boost private and affordable housing in the area.

A spokesperson said: "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.

"If planning permission is granted, the development would deliver 25% affordable housing."

This included a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom properties, according to the company's website.

Under changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, some green belt 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.

The local authority was originally due to make a decision on the application last July.

A council spokesperson said local planning authorities were "required to take the policy and guidance into account when assessing planning applications, along with all other relevant planning policies and other material planning considerations".

Last week an application to build 60 homes on a field off Highgate Grove in Clayton Heights was given outline approval, despite 250 objections, after the council agreed it could be changed from green to grey belt status.

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