Bingley Green Party

28/10/2026

Whilst we’re happy that the Local Regeneration Fund can be reallocated at Bradford Councils discretion, this letter does not refer to any barriers or terms which may have to be met for the funding to go to Bingley Pool. It’s rather vague.

It is now up to Bradford Council to respond directly to the people of Bingley and say exactly why this money can not be used for their pool.

📄 I am happy to share Government confirmation that Bradford Council CAN redirect the Squire Lane funding.

I shared this letter with the Council on 9 September. Yet on 14 October the Reform Leader still made the claim that there is “no funding or route to funding” for Bingley Pool.

There is money, and there is a clear path. Bingley Pool has a successful Levelling Up bid, completed scoping work and overwhelming local support.

I’m calling on the Council to accept it has the power to reallocate the funding, set out how it will be used before the March 2028 deadline, and invite the Friends of Bingley Pool to put forward a business case for the £8.6 million it needs. 🏊

Letter below👇

25/10/2026

💚 BINGLEY’S GREEN BELT UNDER THREAT – HAVE YOUR SAY! 🌳

Bradford Council’s Draft Local Plan proposes removing land at Greenhill Barn, Lady Lane, Bingley East (Site H106) from the Green Belt to allow a minimum of 25 new homes.

Bingley Green Party believes we need more genuinely affordable homes, but they must be built in the right places, with proper infrastructure and without unnecessarily sacrificing our precious countryside.

⚠️ Why are we concerned?

🌳 Green Belt protection – Bingley Town Council previously raised serious concerns about the site’s contribution to preventing urban sprawl and protecting the openness of our countryside.

🏡 Heritage and landscape – This elevated, sloping site sits close to listed buildings, raising concerns about its visual impact and the setting of our historic environment.

🦉 Wildlife and biodiversity – The site lies within an area where potential impacts on protected habitats and important wildlife corridors need careful consideration.

🚶 Road safety and sustainable transport – Development would require access from Lady Lane, an important walking and cycling connection.

🏥 Local infrastructure – We need assurances that roads, schools, healthcare and drainage can accommodate additional development.

💚 Our position is clear.

We support genuinely affordable, sustainable housing, with brownfield land and regeneration prioritised before Green Belt release.

We do not believe Bradford Council has yet demonstrated a sufficiently convincing case for removing H106 from the Green Belt.

We are calling for H106 to be removed from the Draft Local Plan and its Green Belt protection retained.

📢 YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

This is your opportunity to challenge the allocation before the Local Plan is finalised.

📅 Consultation closes at 5pm on 30 November 2026.

👉 Have your say here:
https://bradford.oc2.uk/document/76/42127

When submitting your comments, refer to Site H106 – Greenhill Barn, Lady Lane and explain why you believe the allocation is not justified, effective or consistent with national planning policy.

🌍 Bingley deserves homes people can afford AND a countryside worth protecting. We shouldn’t have to choose between the two.

Bingley Green Party – Standing up for our communities, our countryside and our future.

Have your say on Local Plan and other consultations.

25/10/2026

Hedgehog Organics are hosting a monthly Climate Café. 🌿

It's a chance to get together and chat about how we can prepare for climate change in Bingley and the surrounding areas.

📅 Saturday 7th November, 10:30am to 12pm
📍 Feel Good Hub, above Hedgehog Organics

Tickets are free. Please book so they know you're coming: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/climateandnature/2481987 💚

19/10/2026

🏊‍♂️ What has Reform in Bradford got against swimming?

➡️ Squire Lane pool development scrapped.

➡️ Refused funding for Bingley Pool.

➡️ Swimming prices going up.

⬇️ Bradford is not just treading water under Reform, it is sinking.

15/10/2026

🏊‍♀️ Bingley needs its pool.

Pausing the sale was welcome, but it is not the same as having a plan to save Bingley Pool.

💚 The Friends of Bingley Pool have done serious work, with the backing of thousands of residents.

⚠️ They deserve proper support from Bradford Council. They should not be left to carry the main risk of saving a public service on their own.

📣 Bingley Pool is not a luxury. It is a much-needed public service.

Please read and share our statement. 💚

12/10/2026

🌿 News from the Village Green: Wilsden planning update

I’m continuing to examine the numerous development proposals affecting Wilsden and the council’s own evidence about our countryside.

The Wilsden Local Plan consultation chapter proposed 10 homes at Crooke Lane, 40 at Crack Lane and 80 at Moorside Farm. These were proposed allocations—not planning permissions or a maximum limit on future housing.

The document also recognises our sensitive landscape, surface water flooding concerns and shortages of certain types of open space. Its Moorside Farm assessment identifies potential sprawl, loss of openness and limited opportunity to strengthen the Green Belt boundary.

The applications and proposals residents should know about include:

🏘️ Harden Lane — 26/00109/MAO: Outline residential development with access, infrastructure and open space. The committee resolved to approve subject to requirements. I sought a Secretary of State call in which was refused and I am continuing to follow the formal decision position. As the decision notice still has not been published I have chased this again with Bradford Council.

🏘️ Avant Homes — north of High Cotes Farm and Moorside Farm: A proposal for 84 homes with access from West Royd, 35% affordable housing and a play area. Avant’s website describes this as a scheme being prepared for submission. Its developer consultation is separate from the council’s formal planning consultation. This was the consultation I attended (as did many of you!) last week.

Other housing applications listed include:

• Goose Hall Barn, Haworth Road — 26/01417/MAF: 74 homes.
• East of Shay Lane — 26/03230/PIP: Between one and seven homes.
• Woodlands Farm, Wilsden Hill Road — 26/03459/PIP: Demolition and five to nine homes.
• Gazeby Hall Farm, Back Lane — 25/02091/MAO: Demolition of equestrian buildings and up to 20 homes.
• Spring Mill, Main Street — 26/02295/FUL: Conversion of office accommodation into three apartments.
• Woodly Barn, Cross Lane — 26/03221/FUL: Retrospective agricultural building conversion to a home.
• Lee Stables, Cross Lane — 26/03212/FUL: Retrospective conversion to a home.
• Streamside Barn, Cross Lane — 26/03220/FUL: Retrospective conversion to a home.
• South of Lane End House, Lane Side — 26/03341/FUL: Replacement of stables with one home.

Other proposals include:

• Harden Lane garden centre — 26/03337/MAF: Indoor play facility, café and outdoor play area.
• Coppice Cottage, Lee Lane — 26/03052/FUL: A wind turbine.
• Wilsden Old Allen Road — 25/03275/MAF: Battery energy storage facility.
• 13 Moor View Drive — 26/02901/HOU: Enlarged dormers.

My concern about these is the combined impact of development on our roads, drainage, services, wildlife and village character. Each application needs proper scrutiny and residents deserve a clear picture of what is being proposed.

We need affordable homes, thoughtful planning and protection for the countryside that makes Wilsden special. I’ll keep examining the evidence and helping residents make their voices heard. I have a record of over a decade showing that I’m passionate about standing up for our precious countryside and I will continue to do so ✊

You can search the references here:
https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/

You can also view the Wilsden section of the Bradford draft Local Plan here :https://www.bradford.gov.uk/media/0gokl1l2/527-wilsden.pdf

Let’s stand up for our green belt together! 🌳🦌

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12/10/2026

I’m proud to support Bradford Central Foodbank 💚💚💚

Bradford Central are a busy city centre Foodbank serving the needs of a very deprived community. Bradford is ranked the 5th most income deprived local authority in England with 29% of children living below the poverty line. Due to benefit changes, delays, debt, homelessness, domestic violence famili...