PLANS to build 62 houses on the edge of Silsden have prompted renewed calls for a bypass and school.

Proposals for a new estate off Bolton Road have already attracted several objections.

Campaigners claim existing traffic problems in Bolton Road would be worsened by new residents trying to access the road from the estate.

Silsden Mayor, Councillor Chris Atkinson, has demanded planning permission is not given until a long-awaited bypass is built to take traffic away from the town centre..

He and fellow town councillors last week voted to oppose the plan on several grounds, particularly the lack of infrastructure in Silsden to cope with so many new houses.

Cllr Atkinson and fellow ward member, Adrian Naylor, have organised a meeting where townspeople can put forward their views.

District councillor, Andrew Mallinson, said the most pressing issue is to build a replacement for the town’s overcrowded Aire View Infant School and Hothfield Junior School.

Developers first revealed plans to build on the site last summer, with a drop-in session for residents and a meeting with Silsden Town Council.

Outline plans were submitted to Bradford Council last month for houses on two adjoining sites, one on a field bordered by Bolton Road and the electrical plant machinery company Airedale Factors, and the other on a square of land bounded by Breakmoor Avenue, Townhead Farm and Airedale Factors.

Kathryn Foster, of nearby Town Head, warned last autumn the development would ruin the character of one of Silsden’s most historic areas.

She this week said Silsden was “bursting at the seams”, with not enough facilities for existing residents and a road system unable to cope with the volume of vehicles.

She added: “Bolton Road has a dangerous corner and a very steep slope into Silsden. There’s a 30mph limit but cars are tanking up and down.”

Cllr Atkinson, chairman of Silsden Town Council, said when Silsden was earmarked for 1,000 new homes in Bradford’s Unitary Development Plan, the understanding was no major development would be approved until the town had a bypass.

He said: “The bypass isn’t here yet, so this application is premature. It has to be a big ‘no’. There are already too many cars in Bolton Road.”

Cllr Mallinson, who represents Craven ward on Bradford Council, said: “In two years the schools in Silsden will be beyond capacity. With the amount of housing coming forward, children will be forced to have their education in portable buildings.”

Councillors Atkinson and Naylor’s surgery will be in Silsden Town Hall on January 26 from 6pm, and will be attended by an agent for the developer.