A controversial planning application for 147 homes on farmland beside Airedale Hospital has been submitted to Bradford Council.

Developers presented outline plans to a special public meeting last year, and have now formally registered their proposals for the Main Road site.

Agent Matthew Binns, of David Hill chartered surveyors, told Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council in October the development was for detached and semi-detached homes with an access road, traffic lights in Main Road and a drop-off point for children at Eastburn Junior and Infant School.

There would also be an emergency access route to the hospital for additional safety.

Craven ward councillor Andrew Mallinson has strong objections to another set of traffic lights in Main Road, but said he understood that idea had since been scrapped.

“I was talking with our highways department, as that was my major concern, and believe it will now be road widening with a central waiting bay for those turning in and out,” Coun Mallinson said.

The 6.2-hectare site has been earmarked for housing in Bradford Council’s Unitary Development Plan, and Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council chairman, Councillor David Mullen, has previously voiced particular concerns regarding the impact on drains and sewerage systems in the Aire Valley.

But Coun Mullen this week said now the application has been formally submitted, he will wait until it goes to the parish council before commenting further.

“Now that it’s live, so to speak, I don’t want to prejudge anything.

“But I’m very keen to see exactly what’s in the plans,” he added.