A Bradford MP has called for controversial planning changes to be clarified to ensure green belt land in the district is not allowed to “disappear under urban sprawl”.

The Government has reduced more than 1,000 pages of planning guidance to just 52 in an effort to simplify procedures, but the proposed reform has prompted concerns that green belt land could be put at risk.

A consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework ends on October 17.

David Ward, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, has written to ministers calling for the guidelines to be revised to clarify the protections for green belt land and to ensure building on brownfield sites is prioritised.

He said: “I welcome recent assurances from the Prime Minister that strong protections for the countryside will remain in place, but I think that needs to be made crystal clear in any new planning guidance.

“It is right that the Government are trying to simplify planning regulations which have become far too complex over the years. However, communities around Bradford hugely value our green belt land and I will be seeking changes to reassure them that this will not be allowed to disappear under urban sprawl.

“We have plenty of good brownfield sites in Bradford, and they must be prioritised for any new development.”

The Telegraph & Argus is running a Save Our Green Spaces campaign, calling for brownfield sites to be redeveloped before greenfield sites are built on. Supporting the campaign, Mr Ward said: “It isn’t just nimbyism, it’s a question of people hanging on to what they hold dear, particularly in green belt areas.”

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