Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has continued his campaign to protect the Green Space on North Street in Keighley Town Centre, following the announcement that a referendum will be held on the matter in the coming weeks.
Speaking in Parliament, Moore noted that Bradford Council were determined to build on the site in the heart of Keighley, in spite of other brownfield sites available in the Town Centre. He then asked Stuart Andrew, Minister at The Department of Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities, if he agrees that:
“responsible brownfield development involves Local Authorities listening to what local people want and that Labour-run Bradford Council should not ignore my constituents.”
In his response, Andrew praised Moore for fighting “incredibly hard for his constituents”, before stressing the importance of consultation during any local plan, and urged the Council to properly listen to the views of Moore’s constituents.
A date for the referendum will soon be announced.
Robbie Moore MP said: “I will not stop fighting to protect the Green Space on North Street. Whilst Labour-run Bradford Council continue to present this as an ‘either/or’ choice between protecting a green space or having a new health and wellbeing hub, it is absolutely clear that this is not the case. We can have both. There are plenty of other brownfield sites or empty properties in the centre of Keighley.
I am firmly of the view that we do need a new Health & Well-being Hub in the centre of Keighley and I am pleased to have secured funds from the government for it - but it is incredibly frustrating that Bradford Council simply are not willing to explore other sites.
I am therefore delighted we are having a referendum on this matter, so that our community will be able to make our view clear.
I completely agree with the government that it is time for Bradford Council to finally listen to the views of people in Keighley.”
