A new housing development near a primary school has been given the go-ahead, despite concerns raised by its head teacher.

Social housing group Incommunities has been given the all-clear to build 64 new homes on brownfield land off Green Lane, Manningham, Bradford.

Most of the two, three and four-bedroom homes will be rented out to its tenants, but 16 of the four-bedroom homes will be sold to private buyers.

The 1.8-hectare site was previously occupied by ten blocks of 1960s maisonettes, which have been demolished over the last four years.

But Kevin Holland, head teacher of nearby Green Lane Primary School, spoke out against the development at the meeting.

He said it was close to a number of schools and he was concerned about the impact it would have on road safety.

He said: “We are putting children’s health and safety at risk.”

The committee also heard concerns about Incommunities felling a number of mature trees on the site, against the wishes of locals.

Sue Brearley, for Incommunities, said the trees had not had tree preservation orders on them, but they had taken the comments on board.

She said they would be planting a tree in the garden of each new house, probably a fruit tree.

Many committee members were unhappy at the idea of fruit trees, saying they would prefer longer-living tree species.

But Coun Roger L’Amie (Con, Baildon) strongly disagreed, saying: “We are always telling people they should eat more fruit and veg.”

After the meeting, retired Green Lane Primary deputy head teacher Sally McArthur said traffic issues outside school at opening and closing times had been awful, and there had been about four accidents.

But the planning decision was welcomed by Incommunities. Jez Lester, assistant chief executive for asset management, said: “Importantly, the development will regenerate a former site of outdated flats and make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the Manningham community.

“The scheme has been drawn up following an extensive local consultation which showed strong support for much needed family-sized homes on the site. We are expecting to start work in the coming weeks.”