RESIDENTS and organisations in Addingham have shared their thoughts about making representations to a Government planning inspector in hearings regarding Bradford Council's Local Plan.

As communities prepare for another series of meetings regarding revisions to the central Core Strategy of the planning rule book for Bradford district, Wharfedale residents have been planning how they will represent the views of the local community.

The meeting in Addingham was organised by Wharfedale Alliance for Sound Plans (WASP) campaigners, who want to prevent overdevelopment in the valley, and was chaired by Craven ward councillor, Jack Rickard (Con, Craven).

It was attended by members from groups across Wharfedale, as well as a number of district councillors.

It included discussion on what local representatives should submit to the inspector on the main modifications to the Core Strategy.

WASP member, Jackie Thompson, who recently drew up a critique of Bradford Council's current Local Plan, attacked the council's figures for new homes said to be required in the district by 2030.

She said: "The council claims that by 2030 more than 42,000 new homes will be needed to house its growing population. This isn’t true.

"Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and ONS projections show the number of households is likely to grow by just 28,000 between 2015 to 2030 [the lifetime of the Local Plan[.

"So, the council is planning a shocking 14,000 more homes than are required. Even if it argues it needs to clear a backlog because too few houses have been built since the economic crash of 2007/8, it only needs to build 2,000 more to catch up, so a target of 30,000 would be more realistic."

The new hearings will begin on May 17.