AN ECO-FRIENDLY scheme for a new "19th Hole" at Baildon Golf Club complete with solar panels and rainwater recycling has won approval from planners.

Despite objections by residents of Brantcliffe Way which will now become a through-route to the new-look club, Bradford councillors on the Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel have given it the green light.

Five new houses will be built on the site to cover the cost of the new two storey clubhouse which it is hoped will attract more members and cut costs with energy saving technologies such as a south-facing roof designed for solar panels.

Collected rainwater will become stored as "grey water" used to flush toilets and other suitable tasks.

Geoff Illingworth, chairman of the golf club's planning sub-committee, said members were happy with the decision.

"Everyone is extremely delighted and very pleased with how the area committee meeting was conducted," he said.

"We have emailed all the some 400 members and had very happy responses.

"It's a case of one step at a time and we will be having a planning meeting next week to talk about the future and when things may start."

He said that while membership numbers were declining, it was hoped the new clubhouse might reverse or lessen that trend.

"There is anticipation it will generate renewed interest in golfing in Baildon," Mr Illingworth said.

Objections from householders in Brantcliffe Way were adamant that their quite cul-de-sac was not a suitable access road and might become dangerous for dog walkers and pedestrians heading up onto the moor.

However, despite initial concerns by highways officers, amended plans meant they raised no objection to the scheme going ahead.

Councillor Adrian Naylor (Ind, Craven), a member of the planning panel, said: "We were told there was declining membership so there would not going to be an increase in numbers and it was not expanding the footprint of a building.

"It was felt in this instance to be an approvable development.

"There are to be some new houses on the site, but there were no real planning grounds offered which could lead to refusal of this application."

After the meeting, Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) said while she recognised recognised residents' concerns, she agreed with Cllr Naylor's view.

"Amended plans were put in and as Bradford Council's highways officers were then satisfied - that was the main possible reason for refusal dealt with," she said.