Fury over homes plans at Leeds family's final resting place

Holly Conant, 24, chose the field near Woodlands Drive, Rawdon, as the final resting place for her mum, grandma, and aunt as they all used to play there as children.

The mother-of-one only found out about the plans to build 130 homes on the site in November, when she went to lay flowers in memory of her mum Alicia Young, 40, grandma Judith Clark, 78, and aunt Catherine Young, also 40.

She said: “I saw all the signs saying they were going to build housing on the fields. I’m absolutely devastated.

“It was already hard enough when they passed away.

“My aunt died of Huntingdon’s disease, my grandma died of a blood clot and my mum just passed away in her sleep. In some way spreading their ashes their was like closure to me.

“I just can’t believe that they are just going to build on the land. It may not mean anything to them but it does to me and my family.

“If they build on there, it’ll be like losing them all over again.”

Miss Conant contacted Rawdon Greenbelt Action Group, which is campaigning to save the green space.

Briony Sloan, chair of the Greenbelt group, said: “The green belt is an asset to the community, and it should not be undervalued.”

Horsforth Town councillor, Martin Hughes, added: “Anything like this will place pressure on the A65 which is already a big problem in Horsforth and Rawdon.

“Leeds City Council have over estimated the amount of housing that they need, with 66,000 houses being built across Leeds, as well 16,000 of them being planted on local greenbelt.

“I’m really hoping that the council will revise the target number.”

The authority carried out a consultation period which finished in November.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: “We have undertaken a city-wide consultation on these proposals which are essential for meeting the city’s commitments on regeneration as well as providing new homes and jobs across the Leeds district.

“Seeking and considering people’s views meaningfully is a fundamental part of this process and all views gathered during the consultation will be taken into account before any decisions are made.”