Campaigners oppose plans for more housing at Silsden

Concerns have been voiced that a proposed 72-home scheme will put even more strain on the community's infrastructure and traffic-choked roads.

Newett Homes has revealed proposals to develop a greenfield site off Middleway, and is seeking public views online ahead of submitting a planning application.

Opponents of the scheme include local MP Robbie Moore, who said details of the proposed development were unveiled shortly after a separate plan for 44 houses off Hainsworth Road was approved, and with an application by Persimmon Homes for 140 homes off Bolton Road ongoing.

He says: "The town is already grappling with unsustainable levels of housing development. The consequences are evident in congested roads, strained community facilities and constant encroachment on green spaces.

"I am profoundly disappointed that Newett Homes has neglected to hold a proper public meeting to directly address residents' concerns and I have urged it to arrange a comprehensive 'in person' consultation to ensure local voices are heard."

Mark Wogden, chair of Silsden Campaign for the Countryside, says the proposed scheme and the Persimmon Homes plans "must be resisted".

He adds: "The history of intensive and ill-considered housing development in Silsden is well documented.

"Bradford Council is obliged to set out a plan for future development in the whole district. The current plan is now 18 years old and clearly no longer appropriate. A new plan is underway, but the likelihood is that the old one will survive a full 20 years before its replacement is adopted.

"The now outdated plan identifies a large amount of green fields around Silsden as being suitable for housing, and the site for Newett's proposed development is one such area.

"Silsden Campaign for the Countryside has never opposed new housing in principle, but does wish to protect the most sensitive of our green areas. This latest site, in conjunction with the neighbouring Persimmon proposal, are the most damaging of all. Both proposals must be resisted."

Silsden's deputy town mayor Rebecca Whitaker, speaking as an individual resident, said she was "deeply concerned".

She adds: "The proposal would result in even more cars in the narrow residential streets around Middleway, Daisy Hill and the Howden Road area and cause further congestion on Bolton Road, Clog Bridge and through the town centre. There are already continuing highway problems. To add yet another large-scale housing development into an already-congested area is absolute madness.

"The proposed scheme will also negatively impact on the hamlets of Swartha and Brunthwaite and take away even more of the precious green fields in Silsden, and affect all residents in terms of accessing school places and medical appointments."

Newett Homes told the Keighley News that its proposed development would make "a valuable contribution" to the district's housing requirements.

A spokesperson adds: "Silsden is identified to deliver a minimum of 1,200 new homes. Our proposed houses have been designed to meet the diverse needs of the community and 31 per cent of our development would comprise much-needed affordable housing.

"The majority of the site was removed from the green belt in 1998. Much is now located within Silsden's development boundary. Development has been avoided in the small portion of the site designated as green belt, and instead a high-quality landscaping scheme and public open space has been designed.

"Also, our proposed development would give Silsden new areas of public open space, and financial contributions towards community services and infrastructure improvements. We're grateful to members of the community who have already given us their views on the proposal, and urge others to please submit their comments." For more details, visit johnsonmowat.co.uk/public-consultations/middleway-silsden.