VILLAGE precept money may be used to help fight unwanted housing development at Low Mill in Addingham.

In an unprecedented move, parish councillors could dip into a pot of money levied for the first time this year to appoint a top-notch planning consultant.

Previously the village used parish capital funds to pay for a planning expert when fighting to preserve green space such as Manor Garth and when City Hall planning officers were drawing up the latest Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

Although the UDP conformed largely with the wishes of the villagers, it was opposed by developers wanting land released from the green belt so they could build houses on it.

However, for the first time this year, villagers have had to pay a village precept on their Council Tax - around £13 for a Band D household - giving parish councillors a new source of revenue to draw on.

Parish council chairman Councillor Gordon Campbell said: "This week I will be asking council for permission to employ an expert with regard to Low Mill. I am asking council to approve the appointment of a specialist."

Coun Campbell believes that the issue of the Low Mill housing scheme is important enough for all the village to be asked to contribute.

He said: "We can spend the money on anything which is of benefit to the village."

The parish council is planning to spend extra funds on the Christmas lights and has other capital projects in the pipeline.

So far Coun Campbell said he had not heard any adverse comments from villagers about the new precept being levied. At a recent meeting he said that Bradford Council had made a fair job of explaining to villagers they were not being double rated.

The money raised will give Addingham Parish Council a budget of nearly £21,000, part of which - around £9,000 - will be used to make up the administration costs previously provided by a grant from Bradford Council.

Coun Campbell said: "When we were allocated the money we did not designate it for any specific purpose. We did not set aside money other than for administration."

Bellway Homes has applied to build 81-homes on the site of the former textile mill and wool scouring plant.

Residents and other villagers, although largely resigned to a housing development on their doorstep, believe that the scheme is too large.

Protesters at a public meeting in the village last month had the rug pulled from under them when it was announced at the start of the meeting that Bellway had withdrawn their plan after discussions with planning officers.

Although around 100 people from Low Mill and the rest of the village attended, the last minute withdrawal of the plan led to the meeting begin described as a 'non-event' by members of Addingham Civic Society.

A new plan is widely expected to be submitted soon and Coun Campbell wants to be ready to get the type of scheme the village approves - even if it costs money to hire the best consultant for the job.

And the parish council has promised another public meeting when more information about the exact scheme is produced.

A full public re-consultation over expected revised plans for Low Mill has been promised by Bradford Council planning officers, although no amended plan has yet been submitted.

Keighley planning officer, John Eyles, said: "We are expecting revised proposals, but that's up to the applicant to submit. As soon as we get them, we'll obviously re-consult everybody. We'll send letters and post notices exactly as we've done before.

"We will completely re-consult all interested parties. We can assure the public that they will be fully consulted."

A spokesman for Bellway Homes said: "We will be submitting new plans in the next couple of weeks. We have taken on board comments that have been made by Bradford Council in terms of their concerns."