A MIXED residential and business development on the site of the former Silver Cross works in Guiseley would put an unbearable strain on the area's facilities, claims Aireborough MP Paul Truswell.

Owner, The Woodford Group, wants to build 100 flats and 28 town houses with study areas on the partially cleared site. It also plans two four storey office blocks and a two storey extension to the existing office block on the Otley Road site.

But Mr Truswell says it will put a strain on the roads and on facilities in the area, including doctors' surgeries and primary schools.

Mr Truswell, who is backing objectors, said: "The proposed development, including three and four storey buildings is excessive, intrusive and completely out of character with the area. In addition, it would intensify the already significant traffic problems that exist in the surrounding area, since it would generate vehicle movements in excess of the levels arising from the previous use of the site."

He added that the proposed development had to be seen in context with other planned or nearing completion developments in Back Lane, Otley Road, and at the former High Royds Hospital site in Bradford Road, where developer The Raven Group is about to start building 541 homes.

"The proposal to build a further 130 dwellings on the remaining Silver Cross site, therefore, will mean that this fairly small area of Guiseley will see a substantial increase in total dwellings with little or no changes to local infrastructure to support them."

The Woodford Group held a meeting with Aireborough councillors and residents last month when the principle of redeveloping the site was not disputed.

Tim Williams, the group's land manager for Yorkshire, said at the time that once planning permission had been given the land would be passed on to a builder.

The meeting heard that despite the site being up for sale for some time no company had come forward with a view to using it as a commercial development.

But Mr Truswell argued a residential development of the site would be a loss for the town.

And he added that he believed the houses would generate more traffic than when the site was a functioning pram manufacturers.

"While the development is close to Guiseley Station, the Wharfedale line does not have the capacity to cope with extra passengers from this and other sites. There continues to be some congestion at peak times.

"Bus services are inadequate and are highly unlikely to provide a public transport alternative to many workers or residents on the new site."