MP's anger as Yeadon Banks battle rages on (From Ilkley Gazette)

MP's anger as Yeadon Banks battle rages on

8:41am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Features By Annette McIntyre

Attempts to remove protected status from Yeadon Banks have been branded “disgraceful” after the latest twist in the long-running saga.

MP Greg Mulholland told Parliament it was “scandalous” local people were still forced to fight to protect the green space, despite winning their case.

The MP spoke out as developers Leeds Group, who were defeated at appeal last year, attempted to take the battle to the Supreme Court to have the village green status rejected.

Last night the developers, who own five acres of the 16 acre-site, put forward their case for challenging the decision and said it is “wrong in law”.

Campaigners such as Keep Yeadon Banks Green Action Group (KEYBAG) have already been successful in their battle to have the area designated as a village green – eight years after initially applying to register the land – while Leeds City Council say they will oppose Leeds Group’s claims.

In the House of Commons, Mr Mulholland called for a debate on the process for registering land as town and village greens, highlighting the case of Yeadon Banks.

Read more in the Wharfedale Observer.