SILSDEN residents fear a 500-year-old hedge along a historic old route into the town will not survive following the completion of a new housing development.

Karen and Eddie Laughlin say the hedge along Sykes Lane, where Harron Homes are currently building 48 new houses, should have been given special protection when permission was granted for the houses.

Mr Laughlin, 51, said: "Under the planning permission this was supposed to be a protected hedgerow.

"However for the past few weeks we've been in dispute with Harron Homes' senior management as they've now stated that they are removing this historic hedgerow and building right up to the boundary.

"The site manager and teams stopped work last week (June 26) as my wife stood in front of their equipment to protect the hedgerow."

A Harron Homes spokesman has responded: “We understand the concerns of local residents and we share their desire to preserve the heritage of the area surrounding our development in Silsden.

“Under the terms of the planning consent, we do have permission to remove parts of the hedgerow on Sykes Lane, in order to install fences which will demarcate property boundaries.

“Although removing some sections of the hedgerow will be unavoidable, we're seeking to minimise the impact these works will have on the hedgerow and preserve as much of it as possible."

Mrs Laughlin, also 51, who works as a PA at a school, said even if the developer does not get rid of the hedge during the construction phase, she fears it will be destroyed piecemeal in future once it ends up in the gardens of the new houses.

"People aren't going to want it in their manicured gardens," she warned.

Craven ward councillor Adrian Naylor said: "I've spoken to Bradford Council, but it would appear that even though this is recognised as an ancient hedgerow and a valuable part of Silsden's history, someone seems to have granted planning permission without having the hedge correctly protected. It was a missed opportunity.

"Under English law if a hedge becomes part of a residential plot the statutory protection afforded to it is overridden by the planning permission."

Councillor Michael O'Dwyer, of Sildsen Town Council, said: "Sykes Lane has been here for years and years and was once the main thoroughfare into Silsden.

"The hedge is part of Silsden's heritage and the country's heritage, and it needs preserving.

"If they keep the wooden [boundary] fence behind the hedge I've no problem with that."

The Harron Homes spokesman said: "Our technical director met with Keighley MP John Grogan and Councillor Naylor this week, and a way forward was agreed between all parties which we hope will allay residents’ concerns.

"This will hopefully mean it'll no longer be necessary to remove all parts of the hedgerow that we have planning permission for.

“We will also be undertaking works to restore parts of the hedgerow which will be retained and are currently in a poor state of repair.”

Mr Grogan confirmed: "I had a site meeting with residents, Councillor Naylor, Councillor O'Dwyer and the Harron Homes director.

"Harron Homes agreed to ask those who'd bought plots if they'd agree to the big fence going behind instead in front of the hedgerow, with a small one metre timber fence in front to mark the boundary.

"Homeowners would be responsible for the maintenance of the hedgerow. It's not a perfect solution, but is at least some progress."