PLANS to put proposed development land in Pool-in-Wharfedale back into the green belt have been welcomed by parish councillors.

But at Monday's meeting, Chairman Councillor Hazel Lee said that the parish council and residents should put their thoughts in writing to Leeds City Council.

She said: "The good news is that nothing is going to happen and it is looking as if we are going back into the green belt.

"The thing is that we have to put our feelings in writing to make sure Leeds City Council know how we feel."

If the land is put back into the green belt, hundreds of houses planned for Pool-in-Wharfedale will not go ahead.

The land looks set to be changed from Protected Area of Search (PAS) land and put back into the green belt as part of Leeds review of its planning blueprint.

Leeds City Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale) was also at Monday's meeting.

He also urged people to make their feelings known to Leeds City Council.

In the revised draft version of the Leeds Unitary Development Plan (UDP), it was proposed that 27 acres of land to the west of Pool should be protected for future development.

A route from Old Pool Bank to Pool Road was to be saved for a relief road with land in between allocated for infill housing.

The city council is currently undergoing a review of parts of the UDP following new government guidelines surrounding previously developed, brownfield sites.

Also under review are sites at Breary Lane East, Bramhope and in Yeadon, Canada Road and Haw Lane.

Included in the review is the inclusion of more than 40 acres to the east of Otley which has been designated a strategic housing site.

The land includes ten acres of employment land and an east of Otley relief road.

The development could see up to 550 new homes being built on the outskirts of Otley.

The city council, which is consulting with parish and town councils, is looking for as many comments from residents as possible.

Details of the review has just gone out in the latest edition of the Leeds City Council newsletter.

l Comments can be sent to The Director of Planning, Leeds UDP Review Consultation, Freepost NEA 2123, Selectapost 5, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS28 ZY.