CAMPAIGNERS are continuing their battle against controversial plans for a waste incinerator in Keighley.

Aire Valley Against Incineration (AVAI) says it has found “glaring differences” between the planning permission granted for the scheme by Bradford Council and the operating permit issued by the Environment Agency.

Now the campaign group, through its legal team, has written to the council voicing its concerns.

“Although the two processes are separate and administered by different public bodies there needs to be agreement between the documents – however we found some glaring differences,” said AVAI chairman, Simon Shimbles.

The group says planning permission allowed for a throughput of 100,000 tonnes of waste per year, but the permit states 148,000 tonnes.

HGV movements approved in the planning application totalled 70 a day, however AVAI calculates the figure could be doubled.

And it says there are “significant” differences in the layout and massing of the proposed buildings.

Mr Shimbles added: “Our letter clearly lays out the conflicting conditions and permissions between planning and permitting. We have asked the council, as a matter of urgency, to tell us how it intends dealing with this situation.”

Keighley East ward councillors and Bingley councillor Marcus Dearden have also written to the council, asking it to seek external legal advice over the issue.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – executive member for regeneration, planning and transport – said: “I received the letter from councillors outlining similar concerns to AVAI.

“I discussed the matter with our strategic director for place, Jason Longhurst, and responded to the councillors stating that we have agreed to seek external counsel advice.

“It is important that residents across the district have confidence that the planning system is transparent and accountable, even when there may be disagreements over individual decisions.

“This advice will provide some additional clarity on our existing planning position and hopefully provide some assurance to councillors and residents who are concerned about the development.”

Keighley East councillor, Caroline Firth, said: “My colleagues and I are clear there is public concern about this and has been throughout the process.

“We welcome the response from Cllr Ross-Shaw and that the council is taking this issue seriously. Planning law is complex but there must be no room for ambiguity or inaction.”

Endless Energy – the company behind the scheme, earmarked for the former gas works site at Marley – was invited to comment, but didn’t respond.