CCONTROVERSIAL building work has begun at a new multi-million pound housing development in Bradford.

Yorkshire housebuilder Avant Homes has announced that work is underway at the development in Idle, where 60 new homes will be built over the next two years.

The development, which will cost £15.4 million, is based on a 4.8 acre site located off Sandhill Fold in the village. However, local people initially objected to the plan due to loss of green space and lack of affordable houses.

The plan was initially refused by Bradford Council’s planning officers, but following an independent appeal to the planning inspector was granted permission. The Sandhill Croft development will provide a mixture of three bedroom semi-detached houses and townhouses, and four bedroom detached homes.

A spokesman for Avant Homes also confirmed there will be some affordable housing as part of the development. The first homes at the site are expected to be ready in December this year, with the full development due for completion in 2019.

Mark Mitchell, managing director at Avant Homes Yorkshire, said: “Sandhill Croft sits in a highly desirable location just a short drive away from both Bradford and Leeds, giving buyers the best of city and village life combined. We know there is an appetite for quality homes in this area and we expect to see strong off-plan sales. Work is underway and we are looking forward to releasing the first homes for sale by the end of this month.”

This is the third project in the area that Avant Homes has undertaken, following two previous developments in Apperley Bridge.

Councillor Dominic Fear (Liberal Democrat, Idle & Thackley) said the plan was “forced upon” local residents. He said: “A lot of people who live there are not happy, as the development is encroaching on Idle Moor. The developers have said they will improve the footpaths in the local area which a lot of people use to get to schools and nurseries, which is the silver lining to this. A worry is that these homes are not affordable for local people. The question is; does this kind of housing cure Bradford’s housing problem, and the answer is no.

"They are building in the area because they know it is popular.

"People are not happy about losing open green space. What we need in Idle is housing for elderly people and homes people can afford, and there are neither."

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