ACTION is being taken to tackle residents’ concerns over construction work on the former site of Braithwaite Special School.

Householders in nearby Braithwaite Road have complained about mud being spilled on the road by lorries as a result of groundwork at the derelict site.

Ward councillor Adrian Farley has asked Bradford Council – which is responsible for the housing development – to ensure contractors clear the road more often.

Cllr Farley, who represents Keighley West ward on Bradford Council, said developers had been on site since October and were building 28 houses and eight flats.

He said: “It’s anticipated that completion will be around the end of September 2018. They are currently excavating groundworks and foundations.

“I was contacted from mid-November onwards by residents about mud on the road as a result of the excavations.

“The contract is to sweep the road two times a day, morning and afternoon. I’ve asked council officers to increase that because of the significant amount of complaints I’m getting.”

Cllr Farley said the developers were also facing problems with water running from the hill above the site – a situation that has plagued existing householders in Braithwaite Road for many years.

Cllr Farley, added: “There are a few agreements with Yorkshire Water to work on pipes.”

Councillor Farley said a false rumour had spread amongst local residents that the housing development would have a second entrance off the Bankfield area of Braithwaite.

He said he could confirm that the rumour was not true, and the only entrance would be from Braithwaite Road.

When the housing scheme was announced in 2016, the council said that all 36 homes on the site would be available for rent. The planning application stated the 28 homes would be two or three-bed houses and eight would be flats.

The scheme is funded through a combination of a Homes and Communities Agency grant and the council's own funding.

The Braithwaite Road development was one of seven such schemes instigated by the council across the district, adding to the 176 homes it had already developed since 2010.

Following completion, the Braithwaite Road homes will be managed for the council under a housing management contract.

News of the development followed several years of complaints from nearby residents about the state of the former school site, including concerns of anti-social behaviour, underage drinking and fly tipping.

Cllr Farley arranged for the council to cut back overgrown trees because they were affecting nearby residents’ light.