A new housing development of 150 homes will include an open recreational area, a special route for horses, cyclists and pedestrians and sheltered housing.

Bradford Council planners were set to adopt the proposals, for the land adjoining Airedale General Hospital at Eastburn, when they met in Keighley today.

It follows a six-week consultation exercise which sparked a 268-name petition opposing any new housing development in the area. But planning bosses have stressed that the principle of using the site for housing as part of Bradford Unitary Development Plan was accepted by the inspector last year.

The inspector, however, insisted that a planning brief be drawn up to give people a chance to comment on the details of the development.

And the new brief has been welcomed by Coun Eric Dawson (Con, Craven) who said the planners had accepted a number of changes.

"We asked for sheltered housing to be included and it has been and they have agreed to make 20 per cent of the development affordable housing,'' he said.

He insisted that the access roundabout on the B6265 was of adequate size and not just a concrete circle and he said it would help slow down traffic going through the village.

"This road is very busy, especially with traffic coming over from Lancashire which doesn't bother using the Aire Valley trunk road,'' he said.

A Council spokesman said the new brief included a number of requirements which would benefit residents. They included provision for affordable housing, new recreational open space and a new pedestrian and cycle link to Steeton and Silsden railway station.

And it is aimed at improving the approach to Eastburn junior and infants school, including a new access and a dropping off and turning point.

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