VILLAGERS in Addingham are being invited to have their say on where 150 new homes should be built.

The siting of the houses will be one of the key issues under discussion at a forum which will give local people the chance to make their views clear on the future of the village.

Addingham has been earmarked for 200 new homes under Bradford Council's Core Strategy - with 50 of those already built or under construction since the figure was arrived at. Bradford is planning more than 42,000 new houses across the district by 2030.

Addingham Parish Council is now formulating its own neighbourhood plan to give local people a say on how the village develops over the next 15 years, and on where new housing should be located.

It will hold a neighbourhood plan forum on Thursday, November 3 and has written to residents with details of the event.

It says: "Bradford’s Core Strategy was recently examined at a public inquiry by an independent Planning Inspector. The Inspector’s report confirms the allocation of 200 dwellings for Addingham and agrees with Bradford Council stating that 'sufficient potential land can be identified to meet the proposed apportionment without using Green Belt or sites in flood risk areas'."

It says: "A key objective of the Addingham Neighbourhood Plan will be to get residents’ views on which sites are most appropriate for new houses – where they can be accommodated without harming village character, setting and environment, taking account of infrastructure capacity and other factors such as sustainability and flood risk.

"Residents’ views are essential so that these can be considered when drawing up the Neighbourhood Plan."

The plan could also include issues such as protecting greenspace, supporting local businesses, revitalising Main Street and identifying new facilities which are needed.

Addingham Council's letter to residents says: "Although the Neighbourhood Plan will cover a range of topics, new housing development is a central issue which will be of concern and interest to many residents."

It adds: "Bradford Council is currently preparing an Allocations Development Plan Document for the District, to identify actual housing sites to be developed. Work on this, which included public consultation on potential sites over the summer, is on-going. The Neighbourhood Plan is a major opportunity for residents to contribute to this work and help to influence which sites are developed, the type of housing required and related matters."

The forum will take place from 3pm to 7.30pm in the village memorial hall. Brief presentations giving more information on the neighbourhood plan process will take place at 4.30pm and 6.30pm.