Oxenhope Parish Council still struggles to obtain the funding and recognition it deserves from Bradford, according to its chairman.

Addressing fellow members at the annual parish meeting, Councillor Neal Cameron said planning applications remained a bone of contention.

He said it was frustrating to see district councillors go against the recommendations of Oxenhope councillors.

They are currently called upon to use their local knowledge to advise Bradford Council planning officers and members of the Keighley Area Planning Panel.

Cllr Cameron also criticised what he saw as a lack of planning enforcement in cases where people were in breach of regulations.

However, he said despite these problems the council continued to demonstrate it was able to reflect the interests and concerns of village residents.

He added: “Since our parish plan was launched there has been a change in the spirit of the community.

“They do not always agree with our decisions but at least they are showing an interest.”

Worth Valley district councillor Peter Hill, who is also a member of the Keighley Area Planning Panel, responded to the complaints about planning policy.

“We often have to pass things we don’t like and turn down things we do like,” he said.

He said this was because he and his colleagues needed to comply with planning law, which can be at odds with their personal views.