PLANS for a new veterinary surgery and 14 houses in Ilkley have been approved by councillors.

CFK Developments submitted the application to build on a Bradford Council owned field, former allotment gardens, off Leeds Road.

The application would allow the nearby Ashlands vets to expand, and, although the application is only in its outline stages, the residential side would include six four bed houses, four three bed houses and four two bed houses.

The plans had divided opinion in the town, with 49 letters of support and 16 of objection sent by residents.

The outline application came before Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee this morning, with members approving the scheme in principal.

However, members asked the developers to consider including more two bedroom houses than four bedroom ones, saying Ilkley needed more smaller, starter homes.

A more detailed application, including the size of the vets and the layout of the houses,will follow, and will have to go before the same committee.