Fight over decision to approve new homes at Silsden goes on

And campaigners have vowed to take the issue to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman if necessary.

They were speaking after the Government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it wouldn't intervene following Bradford Council's decision to approve plans for 138 homes at Silsden.

The planning application – submitted by Persimmon Homes, for land off Bolton Road – was given the go-ahead by the council's regulatory and appeals committee last October, despite over 800 objections.

Town MP Robbie Moore, who was amongst the objectors, had subsequently requested Government intervention.

Mark Wogden – chair of the Silsden Campaign for the Countryside group and a town councillor – describes the Government's decision as "disappointing but not surprising", with such moves normally reserved for larger-scale developments.

But he adds: "It is important that the process by which this hugely unpopular decision to grant planning approval was made should still be challenged.

"The Campaign has submitted a substantial and detailed objection to Bradford Council, identifying the significant shortcomings of the case officer's report and the decision-making on the day. If necessary, we will pursue the matter with the Ombudsman on behalf of Silsden residents.

"Whilst these treasured fields will now sadly become yet another dead-end road into a housing estate, we still need to stand up for our community in whatever way we can.

"We are currently preparing a book for publication, entitled A Land For All Seasons, which will celebrate these lost acres and the nature contained within. Our hope is to keep the importance of such places in people's minds and to call for improvement to the decision-making process. This damaging decision must not be repeated."

Mr Moore said he had sent an eight-page letter to the Government highlighting the impact the scheme would have and the "overwhelming local discontent", but the response indicated a "reluctance to interfere" in local planning matters.

"The Government’s decision not to review these plans rests on the principle that local councils 'know best' but unfortunately this has not been the case with Bradford Council," says Mr Moore.

"I will never stop fighting to protect Silsden’s infrastructure and services, which are already under immense strain.

"The town simply cannot cope with the barrage of new housing developments being unleashed on the area, and residents are rightly fed-up of council officials bulldozing through huge local opposition time and time again."

A spokesperson for Bradford Council says: "We’re pleased the Secretary of State did not feel it necessary to call in the application after the regulatory & appeals committee members' decision was referred to the Secretary of State by a third party.

"The local planning authority is obliged to determine applications in line with national and local planning policy. In this case, the principle of housing was considered, taking into account a wide number of considerations including the site’s status as former safeguarded land, biodiversity, residential amenity, design, trees, highways and drainage matters. It was considered that the proposed residential development would be acceptable at this site, without prejudicing those matters."

Persimmon Homes was contacted for comment, but hadn't responded at the time of writing.

The developer has previously said the scheme will provide "much-needed high-quality new homes" and that people living within five miles, along with staff at Airedale Hospital, will have first refusal when properties go on sale.

Twenty-one homes will be transferred to a housing association, with another seven to be made available at a discount to first-time buyers. "Significant contributions" would be made to improve infrastructure in the area.