Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe has accused Bradford Council of failing to listen to people's views in the row over building new children's homes - one of them in Shipley.

Mr Sutcliffe, who represents the Bradford South constituency, condemned the consultation process as a "complete sham".

Despite a storm of furious comments from protesters at Tuesday's meeting of Bradford Council's executive committee, members will go ahead with plans to build five children's homes.

Angry residents fumed at plans for homes at Sowden House, Thornton, Netherlands Square, Low Moor, and Carr Lane, East Morton. Two further homes at Allerton Hall, Allerton, and the Owlet Centre, Shipley, met with fewer objections.

In a scathing attack, former Bradford Council leader Mr Sutcliffe said today: "This is typical Bradford Council: set up a consultation process and then completely ignore everything that has been said by local people.

"It is deeply frustrating and upsetting for people when they know that their concerns are simply not being listened to.

"First we had the debacle over the closure of seven primary schools, and we now have the two issues of the children's homes and proposed closure of Bradford's special school. All of these have been characterised by political interference, arrogance and a complete failure to engage with local people."

Mr Sutcliffe claimed that residents had a right to raise their concerns about the homes, adding: "People in Bradford are sick to death of this Council, with their arrogant "hear nothing" attitude.

"Their consultation process is a complete sham. It is time the Council started treating people with respect and not simply paying lip service to public consultation."

He also criticised Councillor David Ward, chairman of the committee, for accusing the residents of "bigotry and prejudice".

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton (Con, Bingley Rural), accused Mr Sutcliffe of forgetting that he was one of several Labour leaders who "seriously under-invested" in children's services and education.

She said: "The damning Ofsted report of 2000 clearly stated that there was political interference and failure to invest, so his comments are very rich.

"What does he want to do with the poor children who, through no fault of their own, need the care of the local authority, does he want them on the streets?

"He would be better taking Bradford's side to make services work better instead of constantly undermining attempts to make Bradford better for both the fortunate and less fortunate residents."

A Bradford Council social services spokesman said there would be further consultation.