Housing plan for green belt fields in Bradford raises local concerns

Campaigners in Queensbury have called a public meeting after 991 objections were lodged against a proposal to build 295 homes on green belt land that could be reclassified under 2024 planning changes.

Campaigners in Queensbury have called a public meeting to oppose a proposal to build 295 homes on fields next to Fleet Lane. The Fleet Lane 300 group says residents feel their objections are not being heard. The 11-hectare site is included in Bradford Council's draft local plan as one of nine proposed housing sites in Queensbury. Building could proceed only if the council reclassifies the land from green belt to "grey belt" under planning changes introduced in 2024. Key details: - 991 formal objections have been lodged against the proposals. - The site covers about 11 hectares and is the largest of nine housing sites proposed for Queensbury, extending from Fleet Lane to Old Guy Road. - Work would require the council to remove the land from the green belt and treat it as grey belt under recent changes to national planning policy. - Residents and campaigners have highlighted concerns about traffic, the impact on nature and protected bird species including the red-list Skylark, and increased pressure on local schools and GP surgeries. - Councillor Alex Mitchell said he would attend the public meeting and that he and Councillor Hazel Johnson helped residents submit concerns; Councillor Luke Majowski has not confirmed attendance. - Barratt and David Wilson Homes said the site is identified in the latest local plan and that, if planning permission is granted, the development would include 25% affordable housing. Summary: A public meeting has been called to allow residents to present their views to local councillors ahead of any planning consideration. The council must take national policy changes and local planning policies into account when assessing the proposal. Undetermined at this time.