Controversial plans by former top showjumper Harvey Smith to dump 20,000 cubic metres of rubble on a meadow next to Bingley South Bog have been approved.

But there was anger over the way the application had been handled, in particular the refusal by Mr Smith, pictured, to pay £1,500 for an ecological survey before permission was granted.

Bradford Urban Wildlife Group is concerned about the fate of the rare Southern Marsh Orchid which grows in the South Bog and which is said to have spread onto the site in Dowley Gap Lane.

Objectors also feared raising the level of the field would have an adverse impact on the landscape and that noise, dust and vibration disturbance would affect nearby homes.

Councillor Colin Gill (Con, Bingley) told the Town and Country Planning (Shipley Area) Committee yesterday: "Who is in control of the planning process here? I ask that the application be deferred so the ball can be put back in the applicant's court."

And environmental campaigner Tony Plumbe said: "This is a blatant attempt by the applicant to cock a snook at the committee. To allow this would be to drive a coach and horses through its credibility.

"This survey ought to be done before the granting of planning permission. A survey conducted afterwards would be an exercise in stupidity."

But Paul Kirkman, a chartered surveyor acting on behalf of Mr Smith, denied the allegations.

The application, which was recommended for approval, was first mooted in November 1998 and is for the disposal of spoil generated by the construction of the Bingley relief road. The site is to be restored to a meadow following the work, which will involve raising the level of the land. It was approved subject to 12 conditions, including the survey and for any important species to be transplanted off-site to a suitable environment.

Officers said the development fulfilled the requirements of landfill policies and the main outstanding issue was the site's ecological value.

The report says the scheme would not involve any vehicle movements on the adjoining highway as vehicles bringing waste to the site would travel over neighbouring fields from the construction works.

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