OTLEY people are being urged to object “in the strongest terms” to a planned massive development with hundreds of homes.

The East of Otley Action Group made the call when it issued its position statement in response to the planning application from the Otley East Consortium.

The action group says: “We recognise the need for some more homes for individuals and families - truly affordable and built in a way that is ‘sustainable’ in all the identities of that word, both across Leeds and in Otley.”

But it stresses it is completely opposed to the proposed development for a number of reasons.

It says: “The application pays no heed to the democratically-agreed Otley Neighbourhood Plan (ONP), in that it (amongst other issues) outlines 700 homes rather than 550 and extends over 57 hectares rather than 50, and ignores the building design stipulations in the ONP

“It makes absolutely no commitment to building truly affordable homes and makes no provision for community self-build homes.

"It completely ignores the climate crisis declared by both Leeds City Council and Otley Town Council subsequent to the ONP.”

It says the scheme would produce an unacceptable level of carbon emissions.

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It says the plans outline a very significant (47%) net loss of biodiversity with no mitigating factors, and the loss of important wildlife habitat is significant and irreplaceable. It also claims the original case for the East of Otley Relief Road is outdated and it is no longer needed.

The group says: “We therefore ask all residents, community groups, democratic representatives and businesses in and of Otley to object in the strongest terms to the application 21/01671/OT. IF that application is withdrawn or declined and there is a subsequent amended application, we will review it within the same framework of the Otley Neighbourhood Plan, as well as the climate and biodiversity emergency and in consultation with the Otley community, when that time comes.”

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “This major development in the East Otley area is a joint application with Leeds City Council. We believe that all concerns will be carefully considered during the planning process.

“We hope to provide a collection of much-needed homes that will meet a range of budgets as well as significant community investment and facilities.”

The East of Otley Action Group can be found at https://www.eastofotleyaction.co.uk/