Two councillors who became embroiled in a "houses only for the rich" rumpus on the Ilkley College site have hit back at accusations of elitism.

Last week it was reported that Councillors Anne Hawkesworth and Martin Smith had privately opposed a suggestion that Crest Homes include a percentage of "'affordable" houses in their plans to build on the site.

They were accused of being petty-minded snobs after suggesting that a council-owned site off Leeds Road would be more suitable for "affordable" housing than a site close to the moors.

But Coun Hawkesworth said today: "The position indicated by Crest Homes for affordable/social housing was not on college land. It was extra land bought from the Council, and a buffer area between the college and the moorland. Indeed, the furthest, most remote and prominent position possible to the moorland.

"It was this site I did not consider the best location for high-density housing on planning and practical grounds."

As well as reiterating her belief that the site off Leeds Road could be suitable for social housing, Coun Hawkesworth said another area of affordable housing could be included within the site but nearer the town.

"Both these alternatives would be better for people who are elderly or infirm, and families with young children, who are possibly without access to a car during the day. They would be nearer the shops, schools and public transport," she said.

"The site has to work for Ilkley and I will make it quite clear that I know there is an obvious need for housing that youngsters can afford to buy and get a foot on the rung.

"Indeed, my son is coming to that stage and will find it very difficult to buy a house here. Unless he's lucky and manages to get one of the houses in question, he will, no doubt, look towards other areas nearby for his 'starter home.' Many of us were forced to do the same."

Coun Smith said his suggestion to use the Leeds Road site would mean between 25 and 30 affordable houses being built rather than ten on the Ilkley college site.

He said: "This proposal is common sense where the sale value of high-value homes supports starter homes and where we can increase the number almost two-fold. Affordable housing needs to be near services, buses, trains, shops, schools, not half-way up on the moor. They need to be accessible."

Coun Smith disputed Labour Councillor Roy Fox's claim that the Leeds Road site could take around three years to develop.

"This is nonsense. My information is that the sale document will be available within months and a concessionary sale to a housing association would be possible without tendering for the site," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.