A LABOUR Parliamentary candidate has spoken out against plans to increase the number of new homes for Horsforth’s Clariant site.

Permission was already in place for 400 homes to be built at Clariant Riverside Mills, but now a proposal to add another 120 properties has been submitted.

Jamie Hanley, who will stand for Labour in the Pudsey constituency in the General Election, said: “Despite the strong objections from the council in Leeds, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, ignored them and the wishes of local people and agreed to the initial development of this site.

“Now, even though this was not included in the original application, other houses are being drip-fed onto it.

“As I have continuously stated, There is huge pressure on infrastructure within the Pudsey constituency and Eric Pickles’ reckless decision showed no consideration for this.

“Local authorities are best placed to assess and make the final decision when it comes to planning matters and this proposed expansion of an already flawed decision proves this point yet again.”