Parish of Tong

TONG FULNECK VALLEY ASSOCIATION

Bradford Council Core Strategy

Development Plan Document (DPD): Further Engagement Draft

Summary of TFVA concerns regarding

Green belt release for housing in Tong Ward.

The following summary of our concernsis offered as a response to Bradford’s plans to release a large area of green belt land for the development of 2,100 houses in Tong and Holme Wood, from the bottom of the Tong Valley in Raikes Lane, across Westgate Hill to Tong Lane.

All who shareour concern are encouraged to respond to the current Consultation. Contributions &responses must be received by 4 pm on January 20th 2012.

Further Information is available at:

Responses can be emailed to:

Bradford Council LDF contact telephone is:01274 433679

A:LOSS OF IMPORTANT COUNTRYSIDE

1. The green belt land that is being proposed for development is part of larger area that forms a vital countryside ‘lung’ between Bradford and Leeds. It is land that has been protected for centuries – indeed it is only such protection that has led to its existence.

1. Much of the green belt land that would be released is environmentally highly sensitive, both in terms of its position in relationship to the neighbouring communities, and in the recreational potential it offers those communities. Such potential is already recognised and safeguarded in the use and protection of the neighbouring land that belongs to Leeds Metropolitan Council.

1. If the land that is being proposed were to be released from green belt protection and developed for housing we believe it is inevitable that this would lead to future release of land that lies between the different sites, and that this would lead to even more major encroachment into the greenbelt.

1. Tong Village Conservation area: - the approach to Tong from the Wakefield Road down the tree-lined Tong Lane would be seriously impaired by housing development.

1. Significant progress has been made in the restoration and repair of footpaths and bridle ways that benefit top who of the Tong Fulneck valley area. Those in the area of the proposed development are in need of substantial clearing and improvement. Such paths and facilities off the very large urban populations that live in the vicinity fine opportunities for recreation.

1. The farms that currently operate within the protected countryside have faced severe economic challenges in the past few decades, as dairy farming has become less viable. However they have recently made progress in finding alternative uses of their land – particularly through the development of livery stables, horse grazing and farm shops. The maintaining and development of these services within such a otherwise urban environment is a very advantageous strategy.

B:ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE – WOODLAND AND PROTECTED SPECIES

1. The land in question has considerable ecological and topographical significance. We are concerned that these are not issues are being given proper attention or evaluation. The Tong Fulneck Valley that begins in Holme Wood and runs down between the heritage communities of Tong and Fulneck creates a remarkably attractive and striking landscape, and offers great potential for further recreational development for those who live in more urban settings.

1. Two areas of ancient woodland, Black Carr Woods and Kitt Wood, are a part of this countryside context. Kitt Wood is particularly threatened by the latest plans, as the new development will encroach on land that borders with this woodland, and so will threaten any species that survive within it.

1. Bird life is currently being assessed, but already rare species such as sparrow hawks and hen harriers are being reported. In a recent survey 46 different species were reported.

C:DAMAGE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES

1. The amount of new housing being proposed for Tong Ward, and especially for the communities of Tong and Holme Wood is highly disproportionate in relationship to the rest of the Bradford City Region. A total of 28,000 new homes are being proposed for Bradford City as a whole. The Holme Wood Urban Extension being proposed is the only one of over 1000 homes in the whole Metropolitan District of Bradford and so represents by far the largest incursion into the green belt anywhere in the Authority.

1. The description of the new community as being an ‘Urban Extension to Holme Wood’ is inappropriate. The location and scale of the new housing being proposed will necessitate the forming of a new community, with all the social and community infrastructure needed to make it sustainable.

1. The construction of this new community would have the effect of detracting from the urgent need to provide step change improvements to Holme Wood. Rather than improving Holme Wood, as is being claimed, such a development would threaten its future development, and would reinforce the sense of isolation and deprivation that applies to Holme Wood.

1. There would be detrimental effect upon the conservation villages of Tong and Fulneck by these housing plans. Set as they are between the large urban conurbations of Leeds and Bradford, the green belt land that is adjacent to them hugely enhances their unique setting bothto all who live there, and to the many others who enjoy the recreational opportunities they offer.

D:TRAFFIC CONGESTION

1. We are deeply concerned about any proposed link roads that are envisaged and that would cut through the green belt countryside. The Core Strategy DPD includes proposals for a “Bradford east link road” short circuiting Holme Wood across the central green belt land which we regard as needing the highest level of protection. We believe that the existence of the link road would actually generate “rat-run” traffic and exacerbate rather than relieve the problems of traffic congestion in the area.

1. The DPD acknowledges the traffic congestion problems of Tong Street. Any substantial house building programme would only exacerbate such congestion, and leave the A650 even more gridlocked than at present. We would regard the need to tackle this issue as a pre-condition of any further house building outside Holme Wood. However we recognise that any effective solution to Tong Street traffic congestion has got high financial implications, particularly if it ensures that there is minimal resulting social damage to the Tong Street community. We note that ‘improving Tong Street’ is not a recent challenge, and we fear that it may once again prove to be little more than aspirational.

1. Equally concerning is the effect that this new development will have upon the narrow farm roads that lie between Holme Wood and Tong, and that are a part of the rural landscape of the area. Recent developments that were a result of the earlier UPD plan demonstrate this problem already. Further extensive house building would have totally unacceptable effect upon these lanes.

1. Traffic congestion in Tong Village is already undermining the unique nature of this remarkable conservation area. . This village is already badly affected by traffic, particularly at rush hour and at the weekends, and undoubtedly, without draconian traffic measures, this problem would become significantly worse as traffic from the new development sought access to Leeds.

E:ECONOMICALLY UNWISE

1.We do not believe that this new community would contribute to the local economy of Holme Wood, nor would those who come to live there look to Bradford as the natural centre for education, skills leisure, civic services or employment. The new development would bring far more benefit the economy of Kirklees and Leeds. Indeed the consequent worsening of the traffic congestion problems would further undermine Bradford’s economic prospects rather than enhancing them.

F:OPPOSITION FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES

1.Holme Wood community was consulted in November 2008 regarding its view of any substantial new house building. The result of that consultation was unequivocal, in that over 95% of people wanted to see no more than 500 new homes being built, and there was unanimous opposition to building in green belt protected areas. Early indications on the recent Consultation on the Neighbourhood Development Plan also indicates substantial opposition to major release of greenbelt land for housing.

2. Tong Fulneck Valley Association is now supported by a total of over 300 members. Two petitions opposing the Urban Extension have been presented by us to the Council and have each been signed by over 500 people.

G:OPPOSITION FROM NEIGHBOURING AUTHORITIES

1.Leeds Council have made comments to Bradford’s plan that seriously question the wisdom of substantial green belt release in Holme Wood and Tong. In 2008 they made clear that they were not in favour of such release, and they have recently reaffirmed their concerns, and indicated that they will be formally responding when the Core Strategy is published. Councillors in Kirklees have also indicated that they are are unhappy with the present proposals.