A proposed Mormon church is too large and could create traffic problems, according to parish councillors.

Proposals to build a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the site of a former hotel in Menston have been recommended for refusal by Ilkley Parish Council.

Councillors feel the planned church would be too large for the Acacia House site, on Burley Road, and would create highways problems.

The proposal is to build a 690 square metre building to replace the current 421 square metre hotel.

They also want it to be constructed in natural stone due to its prominent position on the edge of the village.

Councillor Audrey Brand said: "We have looked at the plans for the Mormon church and we had to go for refusal because the main thing is the highways layout.

"They haven't done a traffic impact assessment yet. They need to do it at the weekend when there is peak traffic and people are going to the Dales.

"We would like to see traffic regulations to make it safer, it is a very fast road and the developer would have to pay for any alterations.

That is our main objection for the highway, it would still be very dangerous.

"The second reason is that the whole area the building would take is far too large. If you compare it to Acacia House where the floor space was 421 square metres and the proposed building will be 690 square metres.

"So it is going to increase it by a lot. It is still a large building on that site. We wonder if the council realised that.

"The third thing is that we would like to see it all in natural stone throughout, because it is in a prime position. It needs to be done in the best material."

The beech trees on the site have tree preservation orders and some councillors are concerned that the horse chestnut trees on the site may not be protected.

The developer intends to landscape the area and there will be 28 car parking spaces for parishioners.

Church services are expected to take place on Sunday's between 10am to 1pm and twice during the week between 7pm to 9.30pm.

It also states that any social events will finish by 10pm.

The number of parishioners is not expected to exceed 60 people and they do not believe the number will increase significantly.

The decision to reject it was made at the Ilkley Parish Council planning committee last Tuesday.

Previous objections raised by councillors when it was proposed to build a block of flats on the site was over dominance and highways issues, but councillors agreed it would not over look neighbouring homes.

They agreed to the plans in principle because it would be using an already developed brown field site, but recommended refusal due to the size and highways issues.