| Green Lung - under threat of development again |
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November 2009
Prosider At a recent public exhibition held at St Aiden's Church in Crossflatts, local residents were presented with proposed plans for a major residential development on the 40-acre Greenhill site, which is bordered by the Leeds Liverpool Canal, Micklethwaite Lane, Sty Lane, and the Oakwood Drive, Fairfax Road and Falcon Road residential areas. Developers Bellway Homes and Redrow Homes are soon to submit a planning application to build up to 450 dwellings on the greenfield site, close to the edge of the conservation village of Micklethwaite. At a subsequent public meeting, held at the same venue on October 9th, in excess of 200 people gathered to hear speakers including Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, Councillor David Heseltine and representatives from Bradford Planning Department and the Developers, explain the proposals and answer questions from the audience.As a direct response to these proposals, the Greenhill Action Group (GAG), originally formed in 1992 by local residents opposed to the first plans to build a 'Dales Village' on the site, has been reformed to act on behalf of all interested parties who are against the advancement of the latest proposal.  Objections to the development cover many aspects; the increase in traffic that such a large development would inevitably impose upon the immediate road network; the building of a permanent two-way traffic swing bridge over the canal at Micklethwaite Lane; concerns regarding increased pressure on already stretched, local health, education, welfare, policing and rail transport resources; the loss of a particularly beautiful stretch of countryside which has been described as a much needed 'green lung' for the Bingley and Crossflatts area; and the damage caused to natural habitat used by wildlife and waterfowl.Chair of GAG, Terry Brown said, "Greenhill Action Group is non-political and is solely opposed to development on a green field site where other brownfield sites exist, and when many recently-built dwellings in the area still remain empty. The group is also keen to make contact with persons who could offer expertise in the areas of Planning Legislation, Highways and Conservation." Anyone seeking further information on the current status of the planning application, or wishing to lodge objections or offer support, can visit the GAG website - www.greenhill-action-group.co.uk |