I joined campaigners who travelled to the House of Commons on Wednesday to see Eric Pickles MP to discuss concerns about Labour Leeds LDF plan for over 7,000 new houses for the Greater Morley Area and Labours Plans to expand Cottingley Springs Travellers site despite overwhelming opposition.
We were grateful for the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State responsible for Planning to raise the issues about the over development of the Morley area. We told him about the lack of school places at both Primary and Secondary schools, the problems with getting appointments at local health centres along with the incapacity of local road networks and the motorway network to accommodate this level of development. We confirmed the unrealistic population figures Labour Leeds came up with and the unrealistic target of 74,000 new houses across the Leeds City Council area. We also told him about the planning permissions granted for over 20,000 new homes on mainly brownfield sites across the Leeds City Council area which had not yet been built.
On Cottingley Springs Travellers site expansion we raised issues about the plan breaching national and local policies, the levels of criminality from some of the Travellers on site and the unified opposition from local residents, local councillors and some Travellers themselves who oppose this scheme.
Mr Pickles listened carefully to what we said and our view was that he was sympathetic to our concerns. A large number of notes were taken and we are optimistic that both Labours LDF and Travellers Plans will be called in for closer scrutiny.
We will see early in the New Year what action Mr Pickles is to take.
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