SOLAR-POWERED eco-homes with grass roofs could be built on drained Baildon reservoirs.

Site owner Andy Jones has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council for two five-bedroom bungalows.

“I hope this will be one of the best places to live in Yorkshire,” Mr Jones said.

The homes would sit below the sight-line and be blended into a natural landscape within the reservoirs’ high stone walls.

Each would be 5,000 sq foot in area and sit on supported concrete rafts, inset into the drained and partially-filled top two reservoirs.

But the plans have already been met with objections with one ward councillor predicting “horror” from local residents.

Mr Jones said the new-builds would south facing and glass fronted, “with slightly sloping grass-covered concrete roofs.”

“We would build something that would blend into the countryside of the moor and not be visible from the road or golf course, only from the top of Baildon Moor,” he said.

“And viewing them from there would mean looking down onto grass roofs in a natural setting, so it will look like a grassed area.

“The houses would also be totally self-sufficient and totally off the National Grid - totally green.”

Mr Jones, a builder and developer from Eldwick, bought the old reservoirs from Baildon businessman Arthur Edwick.

The stones which once lined the three reservoirs have all been removed and so Mr Jones has been filling them in with lorry loads of inert spoil in preparation for his building project.

“We made a pre-application for 17 log cabins on the site, but Bradford Council didn’t like that idea so we have just put in for one large home in each of the top two reservoirs, each with its own small pond.

“They are all vast holes at the moment and I know that people may have though were were just filling it up with rubbish - but that’s not the case.

“We’ve just been bringing in enough material to raise the ground level to the right height.”

“And when the houses are dropped in, I believe it will look fabulous.”

The lower of the three reservoirs is 50 yards square and will be turned into a fish-filled lake, oxygenated by a diverted beck and waterfall to complete the natural appeal of the site.

Councillor Val Townend (Con, Baildon) said she was firmly against any residential proposal.

“I’m totally opposed to any habitable buildings being constructed on the reservoir site - and this seems very out of keeping with the area,” she said.

“And most Baildon residents will be also be horrified at the idea, judging by the backlash there’s already been about all the lorries and infilling.”

“Also I can’t see how this would work financially, based on just two bungalows - they’d have to cost a fortune. for this to be a profitable project for anyone,” she said.

Baildon Town Councillor Les Vasey added: “It’s sensitive and nobody’s seen the plans yet.”

“It’s obviously a major investment which is also contentious.”