Object

Representation ID: 28572

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Bradford District Ward Councillor (Conservative)

This is a green belt site and guidelines state “once established, green belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances” – I don’t feel there are exceptional circumstances and this area of land fits national policy on green belt: “to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment” and “to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas” as if built on there would be a continuous stretch of housing both sides of West Lane/Lucy Hall Drive from Shipley Glen to the centre of Baildon, a distance of almost 2 miles. The report states building here “would have a major impact on openness” plus there are significant concerns about water run off from the moors that is currently absorbed by these fields. There is barely any public transport here so an increase in traffic is inevitable through to the centre of the village and along Baildon Road and other routes which are already very busy and congested at peak times. The report acknowledges “there are a number of watercourses and wet areas within the site” which raises significant concerns. If this land is built on there would also be an adverse impact on wildlife e.g. nesting lapwings and pheasants plus deer and foxes. West Lane has had a large number of new housing developments in recent years and another one would alter the character of the area yet further.