SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies has said Bradford Council “does not care” about the people living in his constituency, after regional leaders wrote to the Government asking for it to allow house building to commence in the district.

Leaders of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership have written to Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid asking for his help to allow Bradford to push ahead with its Local Plan Core Strategy.

After being approved by a Government planning inspector, the plan was halted by Planning Minister Gavin Barwell in October at the request of Conservative Mr Davies.

Mr Davies was concerned that some green belt land in his constituency, which includes Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale, would be released for housing.

He said the Council has “let down” his constituents.

“Bradford Council ought to be reflecting on how badly they have let down people in the district,” said Mr Davies.

“Rather than trying to get their Labour chums to rally round them, they ought to be reflecting on why this has gone on in the first place.

“They simply do not care about the people that make up the Shipley community, and it is insulting their only response is to get their Labour chums to rally round them in West Yorkshire.”

Mr Davies said if the Council “concretes over a large part of green belt lane” people in his constituency would not be impressed.

“They should address the concerns we have rather than trying to impose these plans on us.”

A similar block was put on the Local Plan in Birmingham, but this has since been lifted, with Mr Javid saying that Westminster politicians should not stand in the way of Local Plans which have been supported by the Planning Inspectorate.

It is now hoped Mr Javid will take similar action for Bradford.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “I’m pleased to have the support of the LEP and Combined Authority, who share our concern that the Government is talking about the need to urgently press ahead with development but has paused our Core Strategy which puts the appropriate policies in place to ensure any development is appropriate and sustainable.

“The continued obstruction of this plan, which has the approval of the Independent Planning Inspectorate, not only puts the green belt under threat from a developers’ free for all, it also has much wider implications.

“The whole economic development of the West Yorkshire region is brought into question by the delay.”