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Menston residents try to block 340 new homes
ANGRY residents are seeking Government support in their bid to block plans for more than 300 new homes on the outskirts of Leeds.
Communities Minister Greg Clark joined MP Philip Davies at a community centre in Menston to listen to people voicing their concerns about proposals for hundreds of homes on two greenfield sites.
Government planning inspectors earmarked land at Bingley Road and Derry Hill as suitable for housing some years ago.
Now developers Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey are poised to seek planning permission for their proposals to develop the sites, which are currently used as farmland.
Residents say the plans for around 340 new build houses will destroy the character of the village.
They are also concerned about the impact on already congested roads and local schools which they claim are full to capacity.
The protests are being led by Menston Community Association and a special Menston Action Group has been set up to fight the plans.
Spokesman Philip Moore, who has lived in the area for seven years, said: "We are trying to show that people in this village have a voice which needs to be heard by the Government. We think these plans will ruin the village.
"There is already over-development in the area and the properties are unwanted and unsustainable."
Villagers claim the new housing will mean at least 600 more cars in the village and lead to even more overcrowding on an already packed commuter route to Leeds.
They also cite lack of job opportunities and the destruction of local wildlife as reasons for objecting to the schemes.
Developers have yet to submit planning applications but residents are already gearing up for battle.
They have launched a website, are seeking legal advice and are to launch a petition which they hope will attract thousands of signatures.
Shipley MP Philip Davies, who raised the issue in Parliament, has pledged support.
Villagers are pinning their hopes of a policy reversal on plans for new legislation curbing green belt development. Meanwhile they are urging people to join their campaign.
Bradford Council says it will consult widely before making any decision.
Major development project leader, Stewart Currie, said: "The allocation of the land in Menston for housing was directed by a Government appointed planning inspector, not Bradford Council.
"No planning applications have been submitted yet but when and if they are, members of Bradford Council's planning panel will take all opinions into account."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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