THE chair of a planning panel has told objectors to a Queensbury housing scheme that their hands are often tied when it comes to deciding on unpopular planning decisions.

Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham), chair of the Bradford Area Planning Panel was speaking after the committee approved plans for five houses on a plot of land off Bradshaw Lane on Wednesday.

Nine people had objected to the scheme, submitted earlier this year by John Wardingley.

When the panel met on Wednesday some of the objectors, a couple called the Gibsons, spoke about their concerns about the scheme, mainly that the houses would overlook their own, and would lead to a loss of privacy.

But planning officers pointed out that the plans conformed to policies, including distances between dwellings, and had recommended the scheme for approval.

Cllr Hussain told the Gibsons that when there was no sound planning reason to refuse an application, the committee has little choice but to approve it.

He said: "We wish we could help you. It is difficult for us, because we have to stick to planning policies.

"We could say no and refuse this, but then an inspector overturns that decision and forces us to pay the costs.

"We are really sorry we can't help you."