Ban needed on land banks

From: Dr Steve Ellams, Chairman, Menston Community Association.

YOU do not need to be a rocket scientist to understand why developers want more aid to develop contaminated brownfield sites ( The Yorkshire Post, May 13). The only qualification necessary is good old fashioned common sense.

As a member of Menston Action Group and chairman of Menston Community Association, along with the Wharfedale and Airedale Review Group, I have tirelessly campaigned to reiterate the statements made by your Political Correspondent James Reed. One of the simplest ways to encourage regeneration, particularly in inner cities like Bradford, would be to remove VAT on brownfield sites.

The land banking currently demonstrated by developers should be banned and any planning consent, if not followed through within a short time limit should expire. The developer, under the current national planning guidelines, has now become the equivalent of the Mafia. We are still fighting the inappropriate planning consent on Bingley Road and Derry Hill after five years and over £140,000 of cost to the community. When will it end?