A plan to build 90 houses on the former Ilkley College site has received no objections in the first week of public consultation.

The extensive and detailed plans went on show in a special room at Ilkley Town Hall last week and a Bradford Council spokesman confirmed no one had put in an official objection so far.

And the chairman of Ilkley's Parish Council's planning committee, Councillor Audrey Brand, said she felt the plans for the mixed development of flats, town houses and detached houses were right for the area.

The Parish Council planning committee will discuss the plans on Tuesday when planning officer Martyn Burke will be answering questions from councillors.

Coun Brand said: "I think the design of it is far better than the original ones, with detached houses dotted about. I think it is a good use of the buildings and I think overall the design will be a good use of the area. They will keep the openness of the area and there will be nice avenues of open ground which will be very attractive."

Coun Brand said she was sure all the homes would be in great demand, reflecting the demand for flats at the Hillside annexe in Wells Road.

Within weeks of work starting to convert the building into 18 two-bedroom apartments, a sign has appeared on the site declaring that they have all been snapped up.

Coun Brand praised the efforts of local authority planning officers, particularly Mr Burke, who has been working with the Harrogate-based developers, Crest Homes (Northern) Limited, to come up with an acceptable scheme for the site.

She said the main drawback of the plan was the disruption to surrounding roads during months of demolition and construction work. There have been suggestions to introduce temporary parking restrictions on one side of Wells Road, but nothing has been decided.

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