PLANS to build 47 houses alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Silsden are set to be approved next week.

Bradford Council planners are due to discuss a revised application from developers Harron Homes for the controversial site off Keighley Road.

Planning officers have recommended approval subject to several conditions regarding access, community facilities, heritage and the local environment.

The site lies between the canal and rural Sykes Lane – which runs parallel with Keighley Road – and has been earmarked for housing for several years, despite being in Silsden’s conservation area.

Harron Homes last year gained planning permission for a permanent access off Keighley Road, which would also give improved access for residents of adjacent Millbanks and Albert Square.

Harron’s initial application for 51 homes off Sykes Lane drew objections from local residents and politicians because it would have led to the demolition of historic High Bank House.

The company consulted with the Canal and River Trust and Bradford Council’s conservation officer before submitting a revised bid, which is due to be discussed by the council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Wednesday February 17.

The new version includes the conversion of High Bank House into a single home.

Planning officers say that housing is a suitable use of the site, and the project will provide a suitable mix of housing to respect the character of its surroundings, including the canal conservation area.

Councillors are being asked to impose several conditions on Harron Homes, including the restoration of High Bank House.

The developer must pay £26,000 towards primary school facilities in Silsden, and £51,250 to improve routes leading to Rombalds Moor including footpath maintenance and information panels.

Harron Homes must not start developing the Sykes Lane housing site until it built an access from Keighley Road to at least ‘base course level’.

They must provide one access point to existing houses in Millbank and Albert Square, pay £200,000 for road improvements on Millbank and Albert Square, and relocate the Albert Square bus stop pole.

District and town councillor Adrian Naylor said it was essential the proposed conditions regarding access from Keighley Road were imposed.

He said: “I would demand that the road is in place before anything happens on the housing site. We’re putting too many entries on this piece of Keighley Road.

“While I welcome the retention of High Bank, I also want to see boundaries and ancient hedgerow at Sykes Lane protected. Houses fronting the canal should be in keeping with the look of the area.”