COUNCIL workers have investigated concerns over water running off a Keighley housing development site.

Keighley West Ward Cllr Adrian Farley said he had been working with residents affected by problems with the land off Occupation Lane, where developer Persimmon is constructing 124 homes.

A Bradford Council officer’s report sent to Cllr Farley acknowledges steps taken so far have not completely halted the water flow, noting: “Whereas the site would have previously soaked up an amount of run-off, the stripped areas inevitably contribute to an increased flow.

“The contractor has installed measures to reduce this in the form of settling ponds and hay lined bunds.

“Although these are attenuating a large portion of run-off, a residual amount of water is still passing through. Once the site becomes more developed, and subject to the approved drainage system being installed correctly, we’ll see an improvement.

“The water is cascading through the wall at the bottom of the site. The wall is managed by our Highway Structures team, who are monitoring the wall’s structural integrity.”

Cllr Farley said drainage was only the most visible problem with the development which people living near the site had approached him about.

“In many people’s opinion this land is unsuitable for being built on,” he said. “It’s a very disappointing state of affairs. Not a week goes by without an issue relating to the site cropping up.

“It’s in Persimmon’s interest to work with the community that lives there, because they’ll be on that site for a long time.”

Oakworth Road resident Andrew Moore asked how permission could have been given for the development in the first place.

“How on earth can a company get permission to build on land that has underwater springs?” he asked. “This will have been decided by a so-called pen pusher in London who doesn’t have a clue about how the land lies up here.

“The water that was coming down Oakworth Road at 10pm on April 2 was gushing down the road on both sides.”

Wayne Gradwell, managing director for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “Due to a difficult winter and sustained heavy rainfall, we accept the site has presented technical challenges which we’re working diligently to overcome.

“Despite rumours that there are underground springs beneath the development as well as subsidence issues, we can confirm there’s no evidence to support these claims.

“We’re working with the Environment Agency and local council to find a suitable solution to the management of surface water, which has been the main source of complications.

“We continue to implement the approved proposals to manage surface water on site prior to the drainage infrastructure being completed.

“The site has received strong levels of sales interest from families and first-time buyers in the area looking to purchase a home. We’re looking forward to delivering a range of high quality homes to meet this demand.”