A KEIGHLEY district councillor says residents living near a former Keighley school site are being blighted by antisocial behaviour and flytipping.

Coun Adrian Farley, of Keighley West ward, said local people complained to him about problems at the site of the old Branshaw Special School, in Nashville Road.

The school has been closed since April 2010, when pupils were transferred to Phoenix School in Braithwaite.

Bradford Council has responded that it intends for the property to be redeveloped to form a respite unit and accommodation for people with learning disabilities.

Coun Farley said: "I was first told about problems two months ago.

"It started with residents of Carlby Grove complaining about paving stones being stolen from the pathway behind their homes, but I then I was alerted to the flytipping and antisocial behaviour.

"Residents told me there was also evidence of drug taking. I haven't seen that myself, though I have seen smashed vodka and whisky bottles on this land."

He said other issues related to the eyesore site included concern about untended, overhanging trees which were blocking the light of those houses closest to the boundary. He added that the roots of another tree were undermining a wall.

Coun Farley said that after he notified Bradford Council of residents' concerns, the gates to the site had been closed and locked. He said he was pleased with this measure, and hoped it would cut down on misuse of the property.

"I understand this land has been earmarked for development, but I don't know when that might happen," he noted.

"The site is in a state of disrepair, and it's something that does need to be resolved."

In February of last year the Keighley News reported that Bradford Council had approved the transformation of this land into a 25-house cul-de- sac.

The "surplus to requirements" site was to be marketed to housing developers by the council, which obtained planning permission to develop houses, and storage and parking facilities for the neighbouring Clockhouse respite care home.

However, in June 2013 the site was identified as a possible location for an adult services development and withdrawn from sale.

Jayne Hellowell, service manager for adults and housing related support, this week said: "We're working on plans to develop a respite unit and bungalows for adults with learning disabilities.

"We will develop the respite unit while the housing contract is out to tender and we hope to select a suitable provider soon.

"We hope building on the site can start within this financial year. Meanwhile, steps are being taken to ensure the gates around the site are locked."