A LEGAL challenge to prevent development in Aireborough’s green belt will be the subject of a public meeting this month.

Organisers are hoping to invite prospective parliamentary candidates to the meeting to answer questions about potential national green belt policy.

Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum launched a legal battle in August by lodging a claim for a judicial review with the High Court in Leeds.

The campaigners are hoping to mount a legal challenge against Leeds City Council’s Site Allocations Plan which they say will threaten green space on Ings Lane, Wills Gill, Hollins Hill, Guiseley, and Victoria Avenue, Yeadon.

The action by Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum has been made possible by a crowdfunding appeal which has raised £24,000 so far. Now a further £26,000 is needed to continue the fight.

ANDF chairwoman and programme manager Jennifer Kirkby said the cost of the action had gone up because developers with interests in two of the sites had joined the case against the forum’s claim. But she said the forum had been joined in its endeavour by Aireborough Civic Society and also now had support from the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

A public meeting will take place at Guiseley Theatre, from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, November 23. Councillors from both wards have agreed to take part in question and answer surgeries.

After the crowdfunding appeal was launched a Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that people care deeply about their local area and understand there will always be concerns about any new proposals. However, the government-appointed independent inspectors concluded that the Site Allocations Plan is sound, legally compliant and provides an appropriate basis for planning the city.”

“Every area of Leeds is included in sharing the housing requirement and Aireborough is identified for just three per cent of the total needed. All sites within the plan are subject to the same thorough mitigation measures, including for flood alleviation.”

The council said the Site Allocations Plan had been subject to a lengthy consultation and examination process in front of independently appointed inspectors.