ONCE again, a Keighley community is going into battle to protect an area of our countryside.

Sadly, the district is becoming accustomed to having to scrap to save our green spaces.

But that doesn’t make the threat any more palatable.

This time, the fight is to protect a green belt site off Goose Cote Lane.

Already there is strong opposition to the 130 homes planned, and the scheme has reignited the old brownfield versus green belt argument.

Most of us would want to see developers use brownfield sites ahead of building on greenery.

But unfortunately – although there are many excellent examples in this area alone of new residential schemes on previously-developed plots – your average housebuilder, given a choice, would most likely go for the commercially attractive option of the countryside.

And until a system is brought in that forces some change, that situation is unlikely to alter.

A carrot or a stick may be needed if mindsets are ever to be diverted onto a new road.