A SIX-YEAR battle over a major housing development in Bingley is coming to a head.

Yesterday was the final day of a public inquiry into whether a developer can build up to 440 homes at Sty Lane, Micklethwaite.

Bradford Council planners are now backing the Redrow and Bellway homes plan, but the Greenhill Action Group (GAG), which opposes the scheme, raised £83,000 to fund its current legal action against the proposal.

The seven-day inquiry, in City Hall's council chamber, was being presided over by government inspector George Baird.

Yesterday, he invited the developers, Bradford Council and GAG to make their closing submissions.

Ian Ponter, barrister for GAG, raised concerns about traffic congestion and the impact on nearby heritage assets.

And he paid tribute to the dedication of the action group.

"The group is long-standing, its membership is extensive and it has demonstrated a resolute opposition to the applicants' plans for the development of the site," he said.

"There is a deep-rooted local public opposition to the application before this inquiry."

Martin Carter, barrister for Bradford Council, said in his closing statement that the authority had previously opposed the development because of concerns about access.

The scheme involves a replacement swing bridge being built over the canal to allow vehicles to get in and out of the site.

But the authority had been concerned that if this broke down in the "canal open/road closed" position, there would be a delay before an alternative emergency route at Oakwood Drive was opened up.

He said this issue had now been resolved, as a change to the scheme would mean the emergency access could be opened by remote control thanks to a retractable bollard.

Mr Carter said the scheme would make a significant housing contribution and was "sustainably located at one of the district's three principal towns".

He said: "For the Council, tackling its housing shortage is a key consideration in deciding to support the applicants' case."

Representatives of Redrow and Bellway said the scheme would include 20 per cent affordable housing.

A section 106 planning agreement would also commit the developers to making contributions to local schools, habitats in the South Pennine moors, highways improvements, traffic calming measures, green spaces and public transport Metro cards.

The developers would also provide a new pedestrian footbridge, either through building it or paying the Council to develop it.

Mr Baird is expected to make his decision in the coming months.