Yeadon Banks could be the last-ever local public space to be secured against development unless people quickly apply to register land as town or village greens.
That is the stark warning for 2013 from the Open Spaces Society which has made a last-minute call for community action before the possible introduction of the Government’s Growth and Infrastructure Bill, currently in the House of Lords.
The call comes after a recent application to classify fields at Derry Hill, Menston as a village green was refused, allowing development plans to go ahead.
Currently, land can be designated as a town or village green if local people have used it for informal recreation, without being stopped or asking permission, for at least 20 years.
Once registered, the land is protected from development.
However if the Growth Bill is made law, that may only be done in advance of any building proposals.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article