Fury As Councillors End Shooting On Ilkley Moor

There are fears for wildlife and habitat on Ilkley Moor as councillors vote not to renew the shooting licence, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for management

Bradford Council’s Labour Group has refused to renew the grouse shooting lease on Ilkley Moor in a move shooting groups claimed was made to appease the animal rights lobby.

Bradford Labour has majority on the council and a decision to renew the lease rested in its hands. The lease had been held by the Bingley Moor Partnership since 2008 and a renewal would have secured shooting until 2023.

The decision follows extensive campaigning by the anti-shooting Ban Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor, which sought to end the moor’s status as the last remaining council-owned moor on which grouse shooting takes place.