Councillor fears for local community

2.50.00pm GMT Wed 23rd Apr 2008

A Liberal Democrat councillor has discovered plans that would have seen 9000 new houses built on the outskirts of Rothwell with no public consultation.

Despite numerous requests for information from government ministers Leeds City Councillors were left in the dark regarding plans for an eco-town to be built in the region. Officers were eventually able to get hold of submitted plans after the government published the details of fifteen proposed sites.

One such development called 'The Greens', would see the development of 800 acres of greenbelt land on the outskirts of the city. In order to accommodate such a development the population of Oulton would double and the population of Carlton treble. Woodlesford Station would have to be lengthened to accommodate more passengers and the scenic A642 would be turned into a dual carriageway.

Speaking about the plans Cllr Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said:

"These plans would irreversibly change the character of our communities, and the developers should not be complacent about the level of opposition they would face.

Eco-town or not, it would still amount to tonnes of tarmac, concrete, bricks and mortar laid on our green belt and hundreds more cars on our roads. It would destroy the character of where we live and the reaction from residents has reflected this.

It is unfair of the government to force this on any community, but the message will go out loud and clear that even though the local Labour MPs seem to be oblivious to what the government is up to, the local councillors won't stand for this in Rothwell ward.

Lib Dem Rothwell councillors will work side by side with local people to make sure that these plans get no further than the drawing board."