Wharfedale News
Fears for town's rural character
11:00am Thursday 16th February 2012
Fears about Otley’s ability to accommodate at least 1,000 new houses have been raised by councillors.
Under a new development blueprint from Leeds City Council, the town would have to take that number of homes as part of a wider strategy that would see up to 70,000 new properties built across the city by 2028.
The Local Development Framework Core Strategy also says that 30 per cent of the new homes for the city would be built on greenfield or green belt land, despite the preference remaining for them to be located on previously developed brownfield sites.
But councillors are worried about the impact on Otley’s picturesque landscape and struggling infrastructure, especially with the possibility of other large housing developments already on the horizon.
Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), who is on the Local Development Framework panel, said: “I am very concerned. Such intensive development will have an impact on the road network, which is already at capacity, along with all the other elements of local services.
“As someone who believes that the Chevin and Wharfe Valley has some of the most beautiful countryside in Yorkshire, the loss of green fields and green belt to housing must be resisted.”
Town councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: “Leeds has made it clear that green fields and, more worryingly, green belt in the Otley and Yeadon area will be targeted to provide a proportion of the developments.
“Otley has been threatened for the past 20 years by the prospect of a large housing estate east of the town. There were also plans for a development north of the river.
“I am concerned that any further proposals will mean eating into the green belt and destroying the rural aspect of the town.
“Major developments in Otley or Yeadon will have a dramatic effect on the area. The road infrastructure is currently at breaking point and public transport, local schools and medical services are already under severe pressure.”
Under the framework, which will go out to consultation next month, Aireborough would also have to take more than 2,000 new homes.
Plans to build thousands of houses across Aireborough will be discussed at a special meeting later this month. The plans are part of the Leeds City Council Local Development Framework (LDF) outlining schemes across the city until 2028.
The Guiseley and Rawdon Forum will meet at Guiseley Methodist Church, Oxford Road, at 7pm, on Wednesday, February 29, to discuss LDF and a response to the council from local people.
Guiseley and Rawdon ward councillor Graham Latty, will be leading the meeting and says a specialist will be on hand to talk to residents at the meeting and wants as many people as possible to attend.