COUNCIL officers are investigating claims an applicant developing a privately-run cemetery near Keighley Tarn has failed to comply with planning conditions.

Proposals for the controversial cemetery, to be sited on fields off Black Hill Lane, were granted permission last September despite fierce opposition.

Campaigners argued the graveyard would contaminate water that runs downhill towards people's homes on the western edges of Keighley.

Keighley resident Malcolm Balmforth, one of the many people who objected to the original application, alleges the developers have failed to meet conditions that state the land's drainage must be tested, and that the area should be checked for contamination before work begins.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Our planning enforcement team is aware of this issue and they are investigating."

But Mike Ainsworth, of the Mineral Planning Group, the agent for Keighley Community Cemetery, has rejected the claims.

He said: "People are assuming these tests aren't being done, but they are.

"There are two key reports, one of which has been submitted, subject to some further information coming from another company, and another report is being done on the land to monitor things like gas.

"The site where the graves will go is not actually where the old quarry is anyway. We know a lot of different materials were put into that quarry, so it's not practical to locate the graves there."

Mr Ainsworth also strongly contested claims the cemetery will be a Muslim-only facility, saying it was always intended for people of all faiths.

"I can understand people having concerns about the development side of things, but bringing race into it is going too far," he added.

Mr Balmforth said: "No one has done any tests on where the water from this cemetery is going to end up.

"There are conditions they have to abide by before they start work.

"We've always said there shouldn't be a cemetery up there, and that this land should be left for wildlife."

Keighley West councillor, Adrian Farley, said he had been informed by council enforcement officers that conditions imposed by the local authority when it gave permission for the cemetery had not been complied with.

"These conditions have been laid down for a reason by council officers, who are experts in their field, to ensure the health and safety of all parties," he added.

"It's disappointing they've not been fulfilled, and I'll be pressing the officers to ensure this site is compliant."

Rector of Haworth, the Rev Peter Mayo-Smith, said provided all regulations governing the graveyard's development are followed, he welcomes the fact it will be built at this location.

He added: "This is an attractive place where people visiting the graves will be able to find some peace and comfort.

"How we treat our dead is very important. It defines us a community and it doesn't matter what faith you are or whether you're someone of no faith."