Tesco has been granted renewed planning permission to build a controversial bigger supermarket in Ilkley, despite opposition.

Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee yesterday approved plans for the replacement store off Railway Road and Mayfield Road – plus the redevelopment of the existing Springs Lane store site to business units and a care home.

The decision split the committee, with three Conservative councillors voting against the proposals of Labour members to grant renewed planning consent.

Officers told the committee that circumstances had not changed since the plans were granted approval in 2010, following an appeal against Bradford Council’s decision to reject them.

The chairman declined a request from a ward councillor to carry out a site visit.

Speaking at City Hall yesterday, opponents of the supermarket told the committee that traffic had increased in the area, and retail trends had changed. They questioned retail assessments statistics for the area.

Ward councillors Martin Smith and Anne Hawkesworth were among those who spoke at the meeting, urging councillors to reject the plans.

Coun Smith said: “The officers’ summary is straight out of the flawed inspector’s report, which they are desperate to hide behind, and support this as seen by the content of the agenda document. Re-evaluation was necessary and this has not taken place from a zero base line.”

Members of the committee also questioned if Tesco’s failure to have the drainage conditions of the original permission agreed by Bradford Council should block renewed consent.

But Council officers said it was “100 per cent appropriate” to make requirements on drainage the subject of a planning condition.

Committee chairman Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) told residents who attended the meeting he had visited the site. “I have empathy and sympathy with the people of Ilkley, “ he said.

“What’s before us is what went before the inspector. Our hands are somewhat tied.”

Councillor Imran Khan warned refusing permission would lead to another appeal.

The decision on the new store still requires the approval of the Secretary of State.