DEVELOPERS have been accused of riding roughshod over history in the name of profit by residents trying to block a planning appeal, at a public inquiry.

Colin Lancaster, of Gilstead Way, said a bid to build an apartment block in a neighbouring garden would be 'destroying heritage in order to build up bank balances'.

Mr Lancaster was among a group of

residents at the inquiry into a planning appeal by Micklegate Special Projects Limited.

The company is objecting to a decision to turn down their application to build a block of eight apartments at Willow Springs, in Gilstead Way.

Mr Lancaster - who also handed a 300-

signature petition to planning inspector Susan Holland - argued that the proposed development was out of keeping with the character of the area.

He added: "I do not see residents in our area as professional objectors. What has caused some sense of outrage is the character of the proposed development.

"Middleton is area worth protecting for the whole of the Wharfe Valley."

Fellow resident Gerald Woolin argued that neighbours - who already have flooding problems - had fears that any further development would exacerbate the situation.

He said: "With climatic change and dramatic rain fall the existing problems will be aggravated even further."

Coun Audrey Brand, chairman of the planning sub-committee of Ilkley Parish Council, took up the cause of the residents.

She said: "We have received over 70 letters of objection."This block build would be over-dominant and over developed.

"It would prove to have an adverse effect on the residents of this residential area."

Coun Brand added that she had already had complaints from residents of sewerage in their gardens because of already over-charged drainage systems.

She also added that the view from Ilkley Moor would be damaged by the development, which would have a red roof.

David Cartwright, chairman of the Ilkley Design Statement Group also spoke up - saying members wished to put Middleton in the conservation area and did not want to see any development which may hamper their chances.

His sentiments were echoed by Helen Kidman, chairman of Ilkley Civic Society.

She said: "The proposed development is to be built in white render with a red roof.

"This does not match the rest of the houses on Gilstead Way, which are built in stone."

But David Manley, the barrister acting for the developers, accused Bradford Council, who turned down the original bid, of applying 'inflexible' planning guidelines.

Under cross examination, Mr Manley led Tony Clegg, planning officer at Ilkley Town Hall, through the main reasons for rejection, including its character, height and density.

He argued that as the land is classed as a brownfield site, and near local amenities, full and effective use should be made of it under planning guidelines.

In addition, he made the point that although the development had been rejected in part because of its proposed height, there were in fact taller houses on Gilstead Way and Rupert Road.

There were also houses of a greater footprint size than the development, he added.Mr Manley said Yorkshire Water had offered a solution to one of the main stumbling blocks, that of drainage, by stating waste could be pumped away from Gilstead Way to the main sewer in Rupert Road.

A site visit was expected to be made by the inspector.

Any decision on the application will not be reached for several weeks.