Homes-plan opponents will fight to ‘bitter end’

Campaigners are vowing to fight until the “bitter end” against plans to build hundreds of homes on a controversial site in west Leeds.

Developers will find out later this year if a Government planning inspector will give the green light to build up to 400 homes on Kirklees Knoll, in Farsley.

Developers Hallam Land Management, DW Wilson and trustees of the Thurcaston Park Trust appealed to a planning inspector about the land after Leeds City Council failed to decide on their proposals within a certain time period.

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Coun Andrew Carter, leader of the Leeds Conservative Group, has vowed to fight the plans. He said: “It is quite clear that local people do not want any new housing on this site, there have been 386 objections to the proposals and to ignore them and allow development here would be a huge mistake.

“We have a 500-unit housing proposal on another nearby site, to add a further 400 houses to that would alter the character of the area and do untold damage to a community that already feels it has taken its fair share of new houses. In addition, local schools are full to overflowing, local roads are congested and in need of significant improvement and the current agricultural land is of a high quality and plays a key part in the local green environment and you have plenty of reasons to fight these proposals.

“I for one will continue to oppose these plans to the bitter end if necessary and I am sure local people feel largely the same way.”

The land was declassified as green belt about 20 years ago.