A DEVELOPER has won outline planning permission to build 13 homes on pasture land in Middleway, Silsden.

Planning officer Martyn Burke said: “Although it is a green field and the development of green fields is always emotive, it is not part of the green belt.”

He said it was an extension of a wider development scheme in the area.

Applicant John Snell faced numerous questions from Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee about potential flooding or drainage issues.

He said large tanks would be created under the roads, which would let water out at a set rate.

He said these were regularly inspected by Yorkshire Water during their construction, and Yorkshire Water then took on the tanks and maintained them.

Committee chairman Councillor David Warburton said: “I would like to thank you for that comprehensive answer.

“That gives the members a lot of insight into how it is dealt with, so thanks very much.”

The committee approved the scheme, but asked that a developer contribution towards subsidised bus cards be instead put towards either improving footpaths or developing recreation areas.

Committee members said people living on the site were unlikely to be regular bus users.