Residents living close to a building site have accused developers of causing unnecessary inconvenience and exacerbating the risk of flooding.

Braithwaite and North Dean Action Group is unhappy with the way Barratt Homes are building 190 houses off North Dean Avenue, Keighley.

Malcolm Balmforth said the road had been dug up in three places to allow for a telecom line, an electric cable and a water pipe to be installed.

He said: “Instead of digging all these different holes, why can’t they put the utilities down one service tunnel like they do in other countries?”

A spokesman for Barratt Homes Yorkshire West said: “As with any new development, there is always a small element of disruption whilst the main services are provided, but this should be for a temporary period only.

“The Statutory Undertakers, who provide the gas, electricity and water to the new development, have to connect into their existing services in North Dean Avenue and these connection points can often be in different locations.”

Mr Balmforth and his neighbour David Archer said they were also concerned about the continued absence of a water retention tank, which they stressed was required by council planning conditions.

The Barratt spokesman added: “With regard to the surface water retention tank, the planning permission states that it should be in place prior to the occupation of any houses on the site and we will ensure that we comply with this requirement.”