YEADON'S open spaces are still under threat despite council proposals to protect green belt areas in Leeds, it is being claimed.

Public consultation began last week on changes which Leeds City Council says will protect 33 green belt locations which had been listed for housing. It is planning to re-classify the sites as 'broad locations' - giving them increased protection as they will not be considered for any future development at this stage.

The council said it was suggesting the change as part of a review of green belt housing allocations carried out following new government guidelines announced in September. It said it had revised its approach in light of potentially lower overall housing targets for Leeds - and that the 33 locations previously identified as possible site for 6,450 future homes, would be retained as green belt.

But this week the three ward councillors for Otley and Yeadon, all Liberal Democrats, warned that the sites were still under threat.

Cllr Colin Campbell said the city council agreed this month to go out to further consultation on its proposals to build more than 70,000 houses in Leeds.

"This means the sites at the Coppicewoods and Banksfields are still earmarked for development. Our view is that these sites are not needed and should have been dropped altogether," he said.

Cllr Ryk Downes added: "Not only will development destroy the open green belt north of Yeadon, but it will also put pressure on local infrastructure with narrow residential streets being used as short cuts. Though we need some housing to meet local need destroying green belt will not provide this."

Cllr Sandy Lay said: "We have never supported development of these green belt sites. Our view is that they were never needed and recent Government housing target figures have proved us right. Sadly Labour continue to push on with their over ambitious plans with developers queueing up to build. We should be protecting our green belt not destroying it."

When the public consultation was announced Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: "We are firmly committed to ensuring there is no unnecessary loss of green belt land in Leeds while meeting future housing need.

"It is important these plans continue to progress, as it is the only way for us to ensure we can make our own decisions on houses being built in the right places where they are needed rather than others making those decisions and us having to accept it.

"Based on the latest information and recent government announcements, we have reviewed our approach to protect these green belt sites, rather than releasing them prematurely. Together they make up more than half of the green belt sites currently identified in the plan, so we look forward to hearing people’s views in this consultation."