Grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor to end

TAXPAYERS were last night warned they would have to foot the bill after Bradford council bowed to animal rights groups and banned shooting on Ilkley Moor.

The Labour-run council voted by an “overwhelming majority” not to renew a 10year shooting lease, leading to calls from countryside groups for them to guarantee the levels of investment and conservation that the partnership had provided.

Ilkley was the last remaining council-owned moor on which grouse shooting was allowed. The lease has been held by the Bingley Moor Partnership (BMP) since 2008 and Edward Bromet, the chairman, said there had been shooting on the moor “since the guns that allowed it were invented”.

Mr Bromet said the partnership would have invested £800,000 had the lease been renewed and the area stood to benefit from another £1 million in private investment. He warned the decision could lead to tax rises for residents or to the moor falling into disarray.

“They are turning away a great deal of private investment,” he said.

Ban Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor has lobbied councillors since 2014 and had won the backing of Chris Packham, the wildlife presenter.