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Many development applications show a "total disregard" for transport, according to the chairman of the parish council's planning committee.

Councillor Anne Knott's warning was included in a report to Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury annual parish meeting, read out by its chairman Cllr Peter Hill on Monday Cllr Knott said: "The greatest issue there has been with planning has been total disregard of the infrastructure issues highlighted by ourselves.

"Travel plans are being submitted with applications, which in an ideal world sound wonderful but are actually totally unrealistic.

"No thought has been given to the topography of the district and the lack of safe travel routes to and from shops, schools and bus links.

"The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is regularly cited as an alternative means of travel.

"Probably the most bizarre suggestion has been that Haworth and the district is easily accessible by cycle and that Halifax Road has a wide carriageway which would easily accommodate a cycle track."

She said during the next year, the planning committee should call for improvements to be made to the area's infrastructure before more building developments are approved. She said a meeting should be arranged with representatives from Bradford Council's highways department to bring the problem to their attention.

Responding to her concerns on Tuesday, Bradford's interim head of development services, Keith Stones, said council officers were aware of the need to ensure new buildings did not exacerbate congestion.

Mr Stones said: "We seek advice from experts, including highway engineers, and also follow planning policies and guidance which are set out in the Unitary Development Plan.

"This underwent extensive public consultation.

"We also consider representations and objections received from residents.

"All of these issues are properly assessed and considered in the officer's report that goes before the planning panel, and objectors to a scheme are generally allowed to address the panel with their concerns.

"This allows councillors to make informed decisions when determining planning applications."

9:49am Thursday 24th April 2008

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