A developer has assured Oakworth residents he has permission for 14 houses being built opposite the Co-op.

They were furious when work started on land off Victoria Road late last month. Bradford Council received a flurry of calls claiming illegal work was being undertaken.

But the Council has revealed the houses are being built legally, with planning permission dating back to 2002.

Developer Andrew Dunn said he had been waiting for the housing market to improve before starting building.

Under council rules, planning permission expires if work doesn’t begin in three years. But in this case the Council said enough work had happened to clear the site and prepare it shortly after it was first approved, meaning the applicant has unlimited time to finish the houses.

Victoria Road resident Virginia Dufton moved on to the road in 2006 and said she had no idea houses were planned there.

She said: “I’ve lived here for seven years and they haven’t touched that land in that time. It is going to block people’s views and then you think of the danger of the extra traffic for 14 houses.

“None of us have seen these plans. The area has changed a lot lately.”

Mr Dunn said: “We’ve owned the site for over 12 years but didn’t think the time was right to build until recently because of the economic climate.

“I think the houses will enhance the village. They’ll really tidy the area up.”

Councillors said they understood residents’ anger but said their hands were tied as everything was legal.