SILSDEN’s mayor has warned a flood risk alert could affect plans for a new housing development in the town.

Councillor Chris Atkinson claims the warning of a possible reservoir breach, issued last year to almost 800 existing Silsden residents, could scupper proposals for new homes.

Cllr Atkinson, who brands the flood fears “unfounded”, spoke out following the announcement of plans to build up to 62 homes at Town Head off Bolton Road.

The application has already attracted concerns from residents and councillors about issues including access, traffic congestion and pressure on existing infrastructure in Silsden.

And the two fields earmarked for the houses also lie a few hundred metres below Silsden Reservoir on the Addingham side of town.

Bradford Council sent letters to residents living near the reservoir in March last year warning of the risk of flooding.

It said the homes were within so-called ‘inundation areas’, which would take the full force of any flooding.

Bradford Council admitted the likelihood of a reservoir breach was extremely low, and said there was “no cause for concern”. But it also issued a leaflet, entitled Don’t Panic Prepare!, outlining how people could protect themselves and their properties in the case of an emergency.

At the time Cllr Atkinson, chairman of Silsden Town Council and also a district councillor, said he was concerned Bradford’s warning could blight local properties.

He this week stood by his original comments, but claims the warning could affect eventual residents of the proposed development in the same way it does existing townspeople.

Cllr Atkinson said: “By putting this letter out they’ve potentially put everyone’s insurance up. Everybody has to declare to their insurance because of the risk.”

“If Bradford Council is saying there’s a possibility, then it will be brought up at the council’s own planning committee. They have to take it into account.”

Cllr Atkinson said he did not personally believe Silsden Reservoir or its dam – which overlooks the housing site – posed a danger to residents.

He added: “I’m not concerned about the reservoir breaking – it would have gone before now. I’ve never heard anything wrong about it.”

Cllr Atkinson and fellow ward member Adrian Naylor were due to hold a surgery last night to gather the views of Silsden residents on the Town Head planning application.

Cllr Naylor said the bid will be decided by Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee at a future date.

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