Controversial plans to site a bathroom accessories factory in a residential area of Ilkley have been withdrawn following protests.

David Harrison, owner of Cavalier Marketing Ltd, in Silsden, said he was looking elsewhere for his expansion plans after a flood of objections and a 413-signature petition.

Objectors were concerned about possible noise and fumes as well as the impact on the surrounding roads from extra traffic.

They were also worried about the intended storage of one tonne of the chemical Isocyanate in the building. It is used with resin to create expanding foam for filling in shower trays.

Ilkley parish council's planning committee had already recommended refusing the plan to move into a building in Valley Drive, Ilkley, formerly used by the Woolmark company for research and development.

The site is designated as light industrial which means that its use is compatible with the surrounding residential area.

Mr Harrison, an Ilkley resident, said today: "We have withdrawn the offer. All the objections were quite ridiculous - we are probably the quietest and cleanest firm in the whole of Yorkshire.

"Whatever we wanted to do in Ilkley there would have been an objection. The trouble was that the premises had been empty for some time and there has not been any traffic up and down the road and people have got used to that. I suppose that's understandable.

"It is most unfortunate that certain people have put out all kind of scare stories. And this petition - half the time people have no idea what they are signing.

"They were beautiful premises but we are looking elsewhere now but not in Ilkley - it's a waste of time."

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