Planning chiefs say play-space needs to be inc-luded if a housing development is to get the go-ahead. They have also questioned whether there would be a need for the four, five and six-bedroom houses at the development on land off Aireworth Road, Keighley.

Bradford council officers had recommended that the Keighley area planning sub-committee approve the scheme when councillors met yesterday. But members deferred the decision, saying that further discussions were needed between the council and Manningham Housing Association which want to build the houses.

Residents told the meeting that a peaceful haven at the rear of semi-detached homes would also be lost if the 24 new houses were given the go ahead. It would also wreck the habitat for bats, which roost in the trees, and for other wildlife, objectors believe.

A spokesman for Bradford council said the site already has outline planning consent for housing and that part of the land would have to be raised because it was in the river Aire washland area.

Part of a tip which closed in November ending years of torment for neighbours could re-open.

John Kirk, who lives at Sugden House Farm, Cross Roads, believes Bradford council is considering allowing the re-opening of a section of Sugden End tip. He has documents, originally drawn up by West Yorkshire Waste Management before its role was taken over by Bradford council, pinpointing an area which could be reworked - just 100 yards from his 18th century home. The re-opened section could be large enough to take one million cubic metres of rubbish.

"For 20 years we had horrific problems from smells, litter and vermin," says Mr Kirk. "We don't want that again. Since it closed in November things have greatly improved. We want to stay here. It is a lovely secluded valley."

West Yorkshire Waste Management did start negotiations with Mr Kirk and his neighbour Roy Clark, of Cliff View, but once Bradford council took over responsibility, the correspondence stopped, reveals Mr Kirk.

A spokesman for Bradford council says that under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act local authorities have to put waste disposal operations out to tender to private contractors.

"Bradford council, in conjunction with three other local authorities, has recently invited tenders for companies to undertake the waste disposal for Bradford and other West Yorkshire districts," he says. "A number of tenders are now being evaluated but will have to be considered by members before any decision can be made. It is therefore not possible to say at this stage if the Sugden End tip will continue to be used for waste disposal in the future."

An independent inspector is to conduct an inquiry into an appeal against Bradford council's refusal to allow a first-floor extension at 1 Moorside Cottages, Ilkley Road, Riddlesden.

The appeal will be decided on written evidence. Anyone with views they would like to express, or who would like a copy of the appeal decision letter, should write to the Department of the Environment, Room 10/13, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol BS2 9DJ by April 30, quoting reference APP/W4705/A/98/291538.

An appeal has been made against Bradford council's refusal to change the restrictions on the opening hours of a takeaway shop at 453A Bradford Road, Sandbeds.

The council says extended opening hours would disturb residents. Anyone who would like to express views or request a copy of the original appeal letter should write to the Department of the Environment, Room 10/13, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol BS2 9DJ by April 30, quoting APP/W4705/A/98/292958.

A series of new post boxes could be installed around Keighley and surrounding villages.

The Royal Mail has applied to Bradford council for planning permission for the eight post-mounted boxes.

The proposed sites: Skipton Road, Steeton, near Airedale Hospital; East Avenue/Lawkholme Lane junction; Aireworth Road/Aireworth Close; Devonshire Street/Suresnes Road; Belgrave Road/Gisburn Street, Highfield; North Dean Road, Braithwaite; Braithwaite Avenue; Slaymaker Lane/Moorfield Drive junction, Oakworth.

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