Campaigners have failed in their latest bid to stop 220 new homes being built at Steeton.

An attempt to have the site off Thornhill Road classed as a village green was rejected by members of Bradford Council’s miscellaneous licences panel.

They had been asked to make a final decision on a report by independent inspector David Manley QC, who had examined the application. He said the bid should be turned down and the five panel members, meeting last Thursday, went along with his report.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, speaking as a member of the public and not as a member of the panel, had said the inspector’s recommendation should be overturned.

“The panel needs to understand where this locality is and the importance of that area,” he said.

In order for village green status to be granted, an applicant has to prove a site has been used by residents for at least two decades for recreation, sports and games.