THE PUBLIC are being invited to have their say about plans to slash housing targets across Wharfedale and Aireborough.

Thousands of new homes will be cut across Leeds and swathes of green belt land will have the threat of development lifted under Leeds City Council's latest proposals.

In Aireborough alone the housing figure will be cut by hundreds and in Pool a 500 home target for one site will be reduced by more than half.

Under the proposed changes to Leeds City Council's Site Allocation Plan 33 green belt sites currently listed for housing would be named as Broad Locations. This would protect their green belt status for now - although they could be built on in the future if deemed necessary.

The change would see sites like the Green Acres Equestrian Centre at Bramhope, which has a 42 house allocation, removed from the development list.

Adel and Wharfedale councillor Barry Anderson said: "Another site that would be affected is the one at Old Pool Bank/Leeds Road/Otley Road in Pool, which had a total of 500-plus houses allocated originally.

"The council is now suggesting deleting 280 from that figure and allocating the site purely as a 'broad location' as well.

"However, they are still continuing to include the former Protected Area of Search land at the same location, which means that could be brought forward in the short to medium term.

"This is the site that is part of the current planning appeal by Taylor Wimpey (for 70 homes on land behind Church Close)."

A six week consultation on the revised green belt aspects of the document began this week, but Cllr Anderson believes the council should first agree on a new, lower housing target.

He said: "I am very concerned that what is being consulted upon isn’t clear and neither is what residents are and are not allowed to raise issues about.

"The council is still consulting on a housing target of 70,000 and even they concede this is likely to be too high.

Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Councillor Richard Lewis, said: "We are firmly committed to ensuring there is no unnecessary loss of green belt land in Leeds while meeting future housing need.

"It is important these plans continue to progress, as it is the only way for us to ensure we can make our own decisions on houses being built in the right places where they are needed rather than others making those decisions and us having to accept it.

"Based on the latest information and recent government announcements, we have reviewed our approach to protect these green belt sites, rather than releasing them prematurely. Together they make up more than half of the green belt sites currently identified in the plan, so we look forward to hearing people’s views in this consultation."

The consultation will run until 5pm on Monday, February 26.

To take part visit leeds.gov.uk/yourcity. Response forms are also available at council-managed libraries and one stop centres.

The proposed change follows a review of green belt housing allocations carried out after new government guidelines announced in September. The council says it has revised its approach in light of potentially lower overall housing targets for Leeds.