PROPOSALS for a two eco-homes on Baildon Moor could set a precedent for housing on the site if approved, a councillor warned.

Councillor Val Townend (Con, Baildon) urged people to submit objections to plans for the five-bedroom properties within the walls of a disused reservoir, before the Wednesday, July 27, deadline.

“It is important people realise that if outline planning is granted, that sets a precedent for residential housing on the site,” she said.

“A developer would then have the right to build and plans can change.”

Site owner Andy Jones has submitted plans to Bradford Council for single-storey, solar-powered homes, with grassed flat roofs.

Objections to the plans have already been received by Bradford Council.

Local resident David Strangeway is among those opposing the proposals.

“As far as I am aware, this land is green belt designated,” he wrote in his objection.

“There is no valid reason whatsoever for any construction to be built slap bang in the middle of Baildon Moor, and it would be totally inappropriate.”

Another Baildon resident, Paul Exley, said he applauded the intention to build two eco-homes but “the location could hardly be more inappropriate”.

“In the event that planning was approved, how long before even more of our precious moors are lost to housing developments?” he wrote.

Other objections focus on the issue of access to the site across moorland.

Baildon Town Council’s planning committee is objecting to the scheme on the basis of it being on green belt land, the impact it would have on the surrounding environment and the access across moorland.

The Environment Agency has not raised any concerns.

Developer Mr Jones said: “We have had negative comments, but also positive ones.”

The application states: “As an academic research project, it should become a tool for further research and an exemplar to show how to make a holistic, low energy response in a remote setting.

“Wetlands, ponds and grass moorlands will be recovered from the scarred plot. The development provides a sustainable way of ensuring that the site and walls are well looked after into the future.

“The site has already attracted a lot of attention locally, and by acting as a research project, it should encourage others to do the same or even better.

“There are no unacceptable impacts.”