Ilkley's MP Robbie Moore has hosted a debate in Parliament on housing development across Keighley and Ilkley, calling for greater consideration of local infrastructure and services when approving new housing projects.
Speaking in the debate, Mr Moore highlighted the impact of multiple large-scale developments on communities across Keighley and Ilkley, particularly in areas such as Silsden and Addingham.
The local MP raised concerns about the lack of proper consultation with residents, the failure to deliver promised infrastructure improvements, and the way funds from developers—intended to support local services—are not always spent in the communities most affected.
Mr Moore also criticised Bradford Council’s approach to planning, stating that developments were being approved without due regard for the strain placed on roads, schools, and GP surgeries and for failing to hold developers to account for not securing adequate Section 106 funding to support the areas directly affected by new housing.
The local MP pointed to specific examples in Silsden, Addingham and Long Lee where developers had failed to meet their obligations, leaving local people to deal with the consequences.
Raising the issue of Addingham's local plan, Mr Moore told Parliament:
"In the village of Addingham in my constituency, people went through a very long process of negotiating their neighbourhood plan. They came to the conclusion that over the next 15 years Addingham would be able to accept about 75 new homes being constructed. Bradford council, which is Labour-controlled, comes along and effectively says,
No, no: we are going to ignore what you have spent the last God knows how many years developing, and say that another 181 new houses in Addingham would be far more appropriate.”
That goes against all the work that the local community had done and against any need assessment that had been properly established for that community to grow."
Robbie Moore MP added:
"Residents across Keighley and Ilkley are not opposed the principle of building new homes, but we are incredibly frustrated by the way housing developments are being forced through without the right infrastructure in place to support them.
The bottom line is that these new developments are being rubber-stamped by Bradford Council without the necessary investment and whilst strain on local services increases.
We need stronger measures to make sure developers deliver on their promises and that local people see real benefits from new housing. The Government must take action to stop local authorities from allowing unchecked development that damage our communities."