A Bradford councillor has rejected a Government minister’s suggestion that wind farm opponents are treated in ways that “sound shocking”.

The Labour-run Bradford Council defended its record after the House of Commons heard allegations that it was “riding roughshod over the wishes of residents”.

And it argued new rules unveiled this week – intended to give people more power to block developments – would make little difference.

Councillor Val Slater, the council’s executive member for planning, said: “We do consult with local people about wind farm applications whenever possible.

“And the things the Government has listed in its announcement – environmental impact and heritage – are already covered in our existing policy.”

The row blew up after Philip Davies, the Tory MP for Shipley, laid into the council’s record during a minister’s statement.

Mr Davies said: “My constituents have become accustomed to Labour-run Bradford Council’s practice of sending its councillors over to parts of the constituency, riding roughshod over the wishes of local councillors and residents, and imposing unpopular decisions on them.”

Mark Prisk, the Planning Minister, said Mr Davies appeared to be “experiencing a difficulty with the local Labour council, which I must say does sound shocking”.