MEMBERS of a joint village campaign group have cautiously welcomed the publication of the planning blueprint for Leeds.

The Guiseley and Menston Greenbelt Action Group (GAMGBAG) was delighted to see a Government inspector had supported city council plans to keep swathes of land between the two areas 'green', in his response to the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

Group chairman Graham Hoult said: "We are delighted to read the comments by the inspector.

He strongly supports the Leeds City Council position to keep the 'green triangle' bounded by Ings Lane, Bradford Road and Cooper Lane in the green belt."

GAMGBAG members had been appealing for more than three years to maintain the so-called triangle, but Mr Hoult added: "We cannot formally open the champagne just yet.

"The whole of the UDP has to be ratified by Leeds City Council. As the document is huge, I don't envisage any late about-turns as members and officers of the council have been nothing but supportive throughout the process."

Mr Hoult praised the city council for releasing the draft of the UDP early so that people who had been waiting a long time could look at its proposals.

He added: "We have had a congratulatory telephone call from Councillor Mike Dunn (Lab, Aireborough) who has, with our other elected representatives, been with us all along."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.