Proposals to dump more rubbish at a controversial quarry were expected to be given the go-ahead yesterday.

The Manywells Quarry tip, between Denholme and Cullingworth, is filling up rapidly. Operator West York-shire Waste Management (WYWM) wants to expand the site to continue tipping until 2000.

Over 300 nearby residents have petitioned Bradford council planners about the scheme. Planners delayed their decision on the proposals last month because they wanted more information, particularly as residents' homes were infested with insects from the tip over the summer. Houses within a half-mile radius of the site were affected through July, August and early September, as occupants were unable to open their doors or windows.

Bradford council's environmental health officers are satisfied WYWM has taken sufficient steps to prevent a repeat of the fly invasion, and that the tip will be landscaped once full into a beauty spot.

Councillors were discussing the proposals as the Keighley News went to press, but were expected to approve them if WYWM agreed with officers' recommendations.

Villagers may eventually benefit from the tipping through a series of environmental projects, as councillors and WYWM are keen to see the money from a trust fund provided by tipping taxes used on projects in Cullingworth.

A £70,000 scheme to light up Manywells Brow and provide a footpath for pedestrians has the support of Bradford council, and provisional approval from Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT), which has hundreds of thousands of pounds to hand out for green projects. BEAT's members will make a final decision on the project by April.

Also expected to be approved yesterday were plans for a horse exercise area at North View Farm, Manywells, which will require landfill. The council will limit the tipping operation to weekdays and Saturday mornings. The exercise area, for horses entering dressage competitions, will complete equine facilities at the farm. Plans for a block of three stables have already been given the go-ahead.

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