Keighley town councillors have expressed 'grave concerns' at planning proposals that will determine the landscape of the district for the next 15 years.

On Wednesday Bradford Council released its Revised Planning Blueprint following a huge public consultation exercise last year.

The Unitary Development Plan (UDP), which spells out where the council would allow developments for housing, industry, shops and offices to take place, is now entering its second phase and a further public consultation into the changes is planned.

Local councillors are pleased with some of the alterations, which see four potential housing sites removed from the blueprint altogether and a number of others safeguarded from development for between seven and 12 years.

But they are concerned about the economic development of Keighley, fearing that the town could become a giant dormitory for Bradford.

Vice-chairman of Keighley Town Council Cllr Nick Lajszczuk, right, said he was 'absolutely horrified' at the lack of provision for economic growth in the area.

"The housing aspect is one side but what hit me straight away was that the proposals do not provide very much at all for economic growth in the area," he said.

"I was gobsmacked. The vibrancy and future of the town depend on its economy."

Chairman Cllr Martin Leathley, pictured, said: "I'm somewhat concerned about the employment and industry side of it. It could be that there's an under-provision of industrial sites.

"There is a school of thought that the Aire valley should be a dormitory area. We need to encourage industrial development in the town."

Details of council UDP

U-turns see page 2