Plans to tackle large residential schemes and congestion on the A65 corridor through Wharfedale and Airedale have been backed by three MPs.

The newly-formed Wharfedale and Airedale Review Development (WARD) group wants to take advantage of the proposed Localism Bill to challenge what they call ‘over-development’ of land between Horsforth and Menston and the resulting impact on transport and community infrastructure.

At a meeting of the group, Conservative MPs Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) and Philip Davies (Shipley) and Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland (North West Leeds) told members they should be able to use the Bill to become “authors of future development” in the area.

WARD wants more input into the planning process and says it has concerns about current proposed projects including developments at Clariant and Riverside in Horsforth, Moons’ Field in Guiseley and Derry Hill, in Menston.

The group says if permitted, the schemes would affect the geography of Wharfedale and Airedale and its schools, hospitals, doctors, dentists and transport.

Mr Andrew said: “The spirit of the Localism Bill really does devolve power from Westmin-ster to local communities like us who understand our areas better than anyone else. The Localism Bill is intended to let community groups and leaders like ourselves become authors of future development.”

David Ingham, chairman of WARD, called on people to attend a public inquiry at Leeds Civic Hall on Tuesday to protest about the Moons’ Field proposal. Developers Redrow are hoping to overturn a Leeds City Council decision to refuse an application for nearly 100 new homes on land next to the Abraham Moon & Sons factory.