RESIDENTS of a new housing development with views of Ilkley Moor will enjoy access to vital health and education services in the town... but pay their council tax to neighbouring Harrogate, say angry councillors.

Local politicians have raised concerns about the proposed redevelopment of the former Middleton Hospital site in Carter's Lane.

The site lies within the boundary of Harrogate Council who will decide the fate of the planning application and benefit from additional revenue but Ilkley and Addingham councillors say the housing will impact Ilkley's resources and infrastructure.

Halton Homes owns the site and will submit a planning application with Harrogate Council in the near future. Although details have not yet been revealed, the Ilkley Gazette believes it includes 50 homes and employment opportunities.

Two public exhibitions will be held to allow the public to see the draft plans. They will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at Westville House School in Carter's Lane, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm and at Ilkley Town Hall on Thursday, March 1 from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

In a letter from J. O. Steel Consulting, writing on behalf of Halton Homes, councillors are informed: "Members of the professional team will be in attendance to respond to questions and receive comments. Subsequently a formal planning application will be lodged with Harrogate Council."

Councillor Adrian Naylor (Ind, Craven) said: "The location means the new residents of the development are more likely to use Bradford resources such as Golden Butts, the railway station and the road network and schools than Harrogate/North Yorkshire resources. This is without having to contribute to the maintenance or development of Bradford's infrastructure.

"Harrogate does not currently have a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which means there will be no developer contribution to infrastructure such as schools. Even if Harrogate had a CIL it may not be legal for them to give a contribution to Bradford.

"The old hospital site is within the priority 1 area for admission to Ilkley Grammar so children will most likely go to Ilkley Grammar. Addingham Children are also in priority 1 area but they are geographically further away so will rank behind children from the old hospital site unless they have siblings etc.

"This means that despite the developer not paying an education contribution, unlike a developer in Bradford, children from this site will benefit from an education at Ilkley Grammar possibly at the expense of children from Addingham or the priority 2 area of Burley and Menston."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: "Although inconvenient it is a brownfield site and under current government planning guidance will eventually be given permission to develop.

"However, it is sensitive as it is close to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and on a highly visible, high landscape valued slope. It is just in the boundary of Harrogate Council and it will be their decision which will affect us in the valley.

"The council tax will be paid to Harrogate but the impact will be on already stretched public services provided by Bradford Council, education and health.

"Safeguards must be imposed to retain the tree screening and there is a threat of light pollution unless mitigated. The highway structure leading to site is Bradford highway authority. A real constraint is the Ben Rhydding toll bridge. The limitations of the bridge must be recognised as it is already struggling with two way traffic. This constraint must limit numbers as all future residents will have some dependence on the car.

"For the benefit of the view from one of the most iconic positions - the Cow - it goes without saying that the design and materials must be of high quality and suitable."