Cookridge Residents Action Group (CRAG: www.cragleeds.co.uk) are campaigning against development of a local beauty spot and known flood prone site at Moseley (Soggy) Bottom Leeds 16. Repeated requests to Leeds planners for specific answers to specific questions meet with ambiguity.
CRAG have expert opinions as to how poor have been the applicant's attempts to identify the nature and extent of the water sources affecting the site. In addition to the very real matter of flooding, are dismissals regarding the existence of wildlife on the site. Not only is the site a haven for foxes, it has many bats, deer and abundant birdlife, all of which would be decimated if the site were to be built on.
The matter of destruction of green field and green belt sites has wide implications. In addition, the apparent will of council planning departments to favour enabling development goes directly against wishes of local communities and serves only to further profits for developers. On the back of this are the statistics created in favour of how many and what types of housing needs are predicted. These calculations are at best speculative.
The quality of life for future generations is seriously threatened unless a collective response is brought to bear.
