A peaceful haven at the rear of semi-detached homes would be lost if a development of 24 new houses was given the go ahead, residents claim.

And it would wreck the habitat for bats, which roost in the trees, and for other wildlife, objectors believe.

Bradford council officers are recommending that the Keighley area planning sub-committee approves the scheme when councillors meet on Thursday.

The site, next to the River Worth, is an area of privately-owned waste land off Aireworth Road, Stockbridge, where local people walk and exercise their dogs.

Officers have received 11 letters of objection, plus eight others who have voiced opposition to the proposal.

One elderly resident, who has lived in Worth Avenue for 50 years said: "Many people like to sit in their back gardens overlooking the land. It is very peaceful.

"You can hear nothing but the singing of the birds. It will be a tragedy if it is built on."

Others claim that trees on the site are roosts for bats and that the plan would involve the loss of some trees.

Residents also fear that a fence round the site would obstruct light to their properties and that cars turning onto the new estate would shine light into their homes.

It would also result in a loss of an amenity where locals walked their dogs and children played.

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

He said: "The site is of little ecological interest but the River Worth is a game fish, spawning and nursery stream and conditions relating to the condition of the Worth need to be attached to ensure that existing habitats and aquatic environment are protected."

Several mature trees along the riverbank would be retained, although there would be the loss of two trees on part of the site.

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