Menston action group’s anxious wait over appeal ruling (From Ilkley Gazette)

Menston action group’s anxious wait over appeal ruling

9:43am Thursday 27th September 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead

Members of an action group trying to stop more than 170 homes being built in their village say they are still “going strong” as an anxious wait for a planning inspector’s verdict continues.

It is almost six weeks since the end of a week-long public inquiry into a village green application for land at Derry Hill, in Menston, with inspector David Manley QC due to produce a report to either recommend the land be granted the status or not.

He told campaigners backing the application for special status, which could prevent construction, and objectors, his recommendations would be ready within six weeks.

However, by last night members of Menston Action Group, who have been campaigning against the development on Derry Hill for more than two years, had not yet received any notification of the inspector’s recommendations.

Earlier this year, permission was granted, subject to further agreements and consultation with residents, for Barratt Homes to build houses on the four fields that make up the site, despite objections from people living in the village.

But in its latest newsletter to supporters, Menston Action Group says it is preparing to apply for a judicial review on the decision by Bradford Council to grant permission for the homes if they lose the village green application.

“We are still collecting evidence regarding flooding in the village and are preparing ourselves for a judicial review should this be necessary,” the message says.

“A lot of background work is being carried out and we are still going strong.”

The group is still taking donations from residents to help fight their cause.

There is a Menston forum meeting on Tuesday, October 9, at 7.30pm at Kirklands Community Centre in Menston, where the latest developments will be discussed.