THE COMMUNITY of Yeadon has been called upon to help a new action group fight to preserve a poplar green beauty spot.

Residents have pulled together in an attempt to have Yeadon Banks - the green land to the rear of the now disused Scott and Rhodes Banksfield Dyeworks - officially recognised as a Town Green.

They have formed a group to head the bid to gain the protected status for the land, which they claim has provided a much-needed recreation area for local people of all ages.

Part of the land was removed from its protected Green Belt status by planning inspectors in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), and many Yeadon people fear this will pave the way for the popular green area being swamped with houses.

Haw Lane resident Doug Jones has taken on the role of chairman of the new group, which will be known as Keep Yeadon Banks Green (KEYBAG).

He said: "There is very great local concern about the threat of part of Yeadon banks being developed. A few local residents with help from Paul Truswell have already begun to collect evidence and put together the information we need to submit a request for registration as a town green."

A meeting to set up KEYBAG at Yeadon Town Hall last Friday attracted around 70 people.

The dyeworks itself closed in 1998, and since that time, people living nearby have been concerned about the future of the Yeadon Banks area.

Some claim that as well as the land being used by many Yeadon people, it also provides a habitat for deer, foxes, and wild birds.

Mr Jones said that for Yeadon Banks to obtain registration as a Town Green, local people will have to come with proof that they used it between 1970 and 1990, for activities such as dog walking, children's play, kite flying, and blackberry picking.

Mr Jones believes as many people as possible need to add their voice to the campaign if it to be successful.

"We thought it was important to mobilise the whole community and get as much support as possible in the battle to keep Yeadon Banks green. It will enable us to speak as a united voice, and keep everyone fully informed about what is happening, so that we can make ourselves heard more effectively than during the previous UDP process."

The group is affiliating to the Open Spaces Society, which has led the way nationally on promoting Town and Village Greens.

Aireborough MP Paul Truswell chaired last Friday's meeting, and said the new group would play a crucial role in co-ordinating the fight for the land to be put back into the Green Belt, when the UDP is next reviewed.

Mr Truswell last year circulated a questionnaire in Yeadon to determine the public strength of feeling for pushing for Town Green status. More than 80 responded, and KEYBAG beli-eves their replies suggest that there is a strong case for Yeadon Banks to be protected.

Mr Jones paid tribute to campaigner Dennis Williams, who was involved in the early part of the drive to set up an action group, but was unable to be at the meeting because of ill health.