IN RECENT years we’ve witnessed a steady erosion of our green fields as increasing numbers of homes have cropped-up across the district.

Only fleeting lip service seems to have been paid to the preference for developing brownfield sites, ahead of our lush pastures.

But thankfully, the tide seems to be turning.

And the rejection of the proposal for 100 houses and 30 affordable properties on greenbelt land at Goose Cote Lane is an indicator of that shift.

Yes the district does need housing, and that pressing requirement is not going to suddenly disappear.

However, it mustn’t be used as an excuse for building on our green, open spaces.

There are plenty of disused, previously-developed plots in the Keighley area and beyond which could be utilised to help satisfy that hunger for homes.

Brownfield locations may not be as attractive to developers as greenfield, but there are countless examples district-wide of where derelict buildings and vacant plots have been brought back to life in impressive style.