A villager opposing the Eastburn housing plan says problems with the Bradford Council website have prevented people objecting online.

Leslie Howard said he had tried on several occasions to lodge his concerns via the planning section of the site, but each time it had crashed.

“This has been going on for a while. To check that it wasn’t my computer playing tricks, I went onto the web pages of Leeds, Wakefield and Craven councils – with no problems at all.

“The period for objections to the planning application should be extended to take account of the times the web page has been unavailable, but I don’t suppose that will happen.”

The council says it is aware of problems being experienced by people trying to use the planning website, and that its IT service and software suppliers are working to resolve the issue.

Julian Jackson, assistant director of planning, transport and highways, added: “Essential work is needed to improve the long-term operation of the website.

“Unfortunately, to enable us to do this, we will have to close down the servers that host the planning documents between March 21 and 24.

“Members of the public will still be able to submit comments either in writing or by e-mail to planning.applications@bradford.gov.

uk. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”