Following outcry at plans to build over a much used and loved green space at Idle Moor with a large new housing development, Bradford East MP, Imran Hussain has urged Bradford Council to listen to the views of residents and throw out the plans.

The plans that have been submitted by Gleeson Homes would see 45 new homes built on land adjacent to Kenstone Crescent, building over the green space of Idle Moor that is used by local residents for a variety of pursuits and has proven invaluable to maintaining their mental and physical wellbeing, particularly during the past year during the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, local residents have overwhelmingly come out in opposition to the proposed development with almost 550 objections registered on Bradford Council’s planning portal. Plans to allow developments to be built on Idle Moor are also understood to have been rejected from inclusion in Bradford Council’s Local Plan for Development just a few months ago on the grounds that there was limited access to the site.

To protect this green space so that I can continue to be used by residents, Imran has therefore urged Bradford Council to reject the plans submitted by Gleeson Homes and guarantee the future of Idle Moor, and to explain how it has been allowed to be considered given that the site was rejected from inclusion in the council’s local plan.

Speaking on the plans for a new housing development on Idle Moor, Imran said:

“Open, green spaces are some of the most valuable community assets that we have and Idle Moor is no exception, having been used by local residents for recreation long before the Coronavirus pandemic showed us how important they are to maintaining our mental and physical health, and I have long been a champion of investing in and protecting the green spaces that we have left.

“I am also deeply concerned that despite the controversy of this planned development, Bradford Council negligently failed to properly write to and inform local residents of it, and for many, the first time that they became aware of the development was when it appeared in the press.

“Whilst we need more affordable homes, consideration must always be given to the area’s local infrastructure and the ability to support new homes, and it is obvious that plans to build on Idle Moor will put further pressure on GPs, schools and transport networks that are already struggling after being underfunded by this Government. Bradford Council therefore must reject this plan to protect these services.”