FLOODING data, changes to the character of Wharfedale, and the strain on local infrastructure have come under attack at hearings held this week over Bradford Council's Local Plan Core Strategy.

Organisations representing Wharfedale residents, as well as ward councillors, have spoken this week at the hearings called at Saltaire by Government planning inspector, Stephen Pratt.

The hearings are examining the modifications to the proposed Core Strategy of Bradford Council's Local Plan for the district.

The document has increased housebuilding figures for the area. The modifications have resulted in previous housing figures for Ilkley – between now and 2030 – being revised from 800 to 1,000, while Burley's allocation rose from 200 to 700 and Menston's from 400 to 600.

The inspector was today (Friday May 20) expected to hear a detailed examination of flooding issues.

Ilkley ward councillor, Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) has already criticised the Core Strategy's approach to flooding, at a session earlier this week.

He said: "I find the latest flood document for the local plan completely void of detail and surely should have been carried out before the core strategy document was even put together. In fact the flooded fields in December/January at Ben Rhydding this year have only just dried out, and this area is proposed for houses.

"Also, not to include ground water and run offs in the report beggars belief in an area of moors with an excessive number of springs, streams and ground water run offs. Linking to this, I am in heavy discussions with Yorkshire Water Authority and Environment Agency regarding the outfalls form Ashlands sewage farm into the river of tissue and human solids, caused in the main by excessive surface water being channelled into the works."

Cllr Smith asked why the Core Strategy had been prepared before communities came up with their own Neighbourhood Plans.

He added: "Spatial distribution is not based on need but on greed by developers and agents and the Council to maximise income and on profits and rates on the higher values in our green areas."
Cllr Smith said city brownfield sites had not been adequately used in the strategy, and he called for redundant or unused homes, and homes now unused over lock- up shops, to be considered.

Residents of Ben Rhydding pointed out that if land is developed on Coutances Way, and to the western side of Burley-in-Wharfedale, there would remain nothing more than a one metre gap between the two settlements.
The hearings continue.