Locals 'horrified' by plan for 94 green belt homes

Residents have said they are "horrified" by plans to build almost 100 homes on green belt land near their houses on the outskirts of Bradford.

Developer Persimmon Homes has begun consulting residents on proposals to build 94 homes on land between Shipley and Bingley, but no planning application has yet been submitted.

Local councillors and residents said the plans would lead to increased flood risks, the loss of habitat for wildlife and increased pressure on already poor infrastructure.

But Persimmon said the plans were still in the early stages and they would be taking residents' views on board.

Ian Hunt, 71, who has lived on Branksome Grove for 37 years, said he would consider moving if the plans went ahead.

"We're all aware that it appears more houses are needed across the country, but it's about where they are built and what impact they will have on the local area.

"We've got particular history here of traffic problems on the roads nearby, lack of infrastructure existing and indeed flooding among numerous other things.

"Between Shipley and Bingley this is the only green area between the two, so if you build on there then it suddenly becomes, as Shipley has become part of Bradford, Bingley will become part of Shipley," he said.

Shipley Green Party councillors also raised concerns with Persimmon after it distributed leaflets to residents on Branksome Drive and Branksome Grove.

Councillor Hawarun Hussain said: "We definitely want housing, we definitely understand there is the need for housing.

"What we do also understand is developers find it easy to go for greenfield sites or the green patches because that's easy for them to do."

"Bradford does not need more mansions, what it needs is affordable homes and we need homes that people can have access to that they don't need two cars to drive in and out of to go to the local amenities," she added.

She added there was plenty of brownfield sites across Shipley developers could choose to build on.

Zabeda Shafi, who has lived in the area for 18 years, said she was concerned about flooding because her house backs onto the fields and her garden already floods regularly.

"Any excess water is still going to keep coming down into my garden. And then on top of that we've got nature, we've got a family of deers.

"You've got the bats, you've got the woodpeckers, you've got all sorts of wildlife."

Catherine Hunter, who lives on Branksome Drive, said she was "horrified" by the plans.

"The drains that are down here are Victorian and they can't stand any more water going through them," she said.

Amanda Holloway next door has lived on the estate for 30 years and is also concerned about extra pressure on "already ancient drains".

She says it is a high flood risk area.

"In December 2015 all the houses on the lower side of Branksome Drive were under 1.5m of flood water forcing us to leave our homes for many months and causing much heartache and stress," she said.

"The increased inevitable and unpredictable weather patterns will impact quicker and harder on the existing flood site and with increased development this would increase runoff."

Another resident said they regularly saw wildlife in the area and were concerned about the loss of the animals' habitat.

A Persimmon West Yorkshire spokesperson said the plans were still in the early stages.

"We are seeking the views of the local community alongside those of officers at Bradford Council.

"All comments are being considered and will feed into the planning application that we hope to submit in the coming months," they said.

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