Menston people out in force to see housing plans (From Ilkley Gazette)

Menston people out in force to see housing plans

8:36am Friday 23rd July 2010

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Residents turned out in force yesterday to view controversial plans for nearly 300 homes in Menston.

Developers Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes gave a public exhibition of their plans for the houses on green field sites at Bingley Road and Derry Hill in the village.

And hundreds of local people, the vast majority of whom are against the plans, got a first look at the details of the proposals at the Kirklands Community Centre.

Barratt Homes, who want to build 170 homes on the Derry Hill site, and Taylor Wimpey, who want to construct nearly 130 homes on the Bingley Road site, are expected to submit planning applications to Bradford Council by the end of next month.

But opposition to the new homes is building and the Menston Action Group (MAG) is collating the responses of people who saw the plans to present to decentralisation minister Greg Clark who is coming to visit the sites next Thursday after being invited by Shipley MP Philip Davies to hear residents’ concerns.

MAG member Janet Booth, who lives in Red House Gardens, Menston, said: “The village infrastructure cannot support another development in terms of highways, railways, education, flooding and quality of life.”

Mark Wildin, of Taylor Wimpey, said: “Today is about informing the public of our proposals in a bit more detail than at the first event. We always get people with for and against views. We’ve not come with the expectation of changing everyone’s minds.”

Marjorie Lythe, who has lived in Menston for more than 50 years, said: “We don’t want it. The infrastructure won’t stand it. Menston is a lovely place now and has a special feeling.”

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