AFFORDABLE housing could come to Ilkley along with a plan to build three-storey blocks of apartments on the site of a school.

Developer Arncliffe Homes wants to build a total of 39 apartments - in two blocks - on the former All Saints First School site on Leeds Road.

The developer says it wants to include affordable housing on the site, for the benefit of Ilkley people who want to stay in town, but cannot afford to buy their own home because of high property price rises.

Bradford Council Ilkley planning officer, Martyn Burke, said talks with planners two years ago had focused on a proportion of the future housing development being affordable'' - but the current plan had come 'out of the blue'.

"There have been negotiations over the last few years. This application's come in somewhat out of the blue.

"We were in discussions with the developers when the land was on the market, but that was two years ago.

"Since then, we think, the owners selected a preferred bidder for the site, then we suddenly got an application," he said.

"We haven't really been in talks with them in the last 18 months to two years. There is an expectation that a significant proportion of these homes will be affordable."

Mr Burke said officers had now asked Arncliffe Homes to clarify its pledge on affordable housing in the proposed development, and which planned properties would be affordable.

"It's not clear on the application exactly how many affordable homes they are suggesting," he said.

Affordable housing can benefit older residents who, like first time buyers, cannot afford to buy becuase of Wharfedale's high property prices.

It is hoped that affordable homes may be built as part of a future development on the site of Ilkley Middle School, on Valley Drive, although the most recent plan for that site was rejected by Bradford Council.

Both Ilkley Middle School and All Saints First School ceased to exist after the re-organisation of Bradford's schools to a two-tier education system.

Ilkley Parish Council plans committee members believe the Leeds Road plot could gain 15 affordable homes if the plan for 39 two-bedroom apartments is agreed.

But councillors would like to see fewer houses being built on the site, after concerns from people living nearby.

Committee chairman, Councillor Kate Brown, said concerns from members of the public included drainage worries and a fear of flooding, existing homes being overlooked by the flats, the pressure on the town's infrastructure and the possible loss of residents' parking.

"We accept there will be development, we'd just like to see it right for the town and right for the residents," she said.

She claimed councillors would like to see the number of flats reduced, although of course this could affect the number of affordable homes provided.

The parish council has yet to make an overall recommendation on the plan to Bradford Council. Bradford is expected to determine the plan.