Councillors in Horsforth have voiced their concerns over the threat of development at Rawdon Billing.

Chris Townsley and Brian Cleasby are warning people in their ward that the beauty spot and vantage point could be built on in the future.

In a newsletter to Horsforth residents, they say that an exercise being carried out by Leeds City Council shows that in future any green areas could be considered for development.

Coun Townsley said the annual exercise by Leeds City Council showed that The Rawdon Trust, owners of the Billing had put forward their bid under the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.

He said: “Rawdon Billing could be under threat from development in the future.”

Coun Cleasby added: “We are obviously not happy about this and we will keep an eye on this. Our area needs no new houses as the congestion seems to be getting worse by the day.”

Earlier this year a councillor vowed to try to protect the greenbelt after the owners of the Rawdon Billing signalled their intention to sell some land for homes.

Paul Wadsworth said people living in his Guiseley and Rawdon ward had received letters from the Rawdon Trust, which owns Billing Hill and fields around it.

The letter said the trust had asked commercial estate agents to look at the possibility of building homes on land near to Canada Road and Markham Avenue, Rawdon.

But Coun Wadsworth said he was already concerned about the impact of more homes in the area, especially around the A65 corridor, and would do what he could to fight any plans leading to over-development.

He said: “I want to reassure concerned local people that I will do everything I can to ensure that the area doesn’t suffer from the effects of over-development, particularly on greenfield or greenbelt sites.