COUNCILLORS are warning a new 500 home scheme would "halve the gap between Burley and Ben Rhydding''.

Developer CEG will be unveiling details of the development for land to the west of Burley-in-Wharfedale at a two day public exhibition next week.

The proposals include a new primary school, allotments and open space areas along with "high quality and characterful housing" which CEG says would feature a variety of sizes, types and prices.

Taking place in the Queens Hall, the information event will run from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday, April 15 and from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, April 16.

Burley Parish Council Chairman Councillor John Grimshaw believes the scheme is unacceptable and would set a dangerous precedent.

He said: "We are aware of this and of a number of proposed developments around the village as developers vie to try to get a slice of the allocated land.

"Our stance is that we're still defending the 200 new home limit that was produced by the last government planning inspector.

"We are very much concerned about the possibility of Burley and Ilkley merging and we want to defend the integrity of the two communities, which a development like this would threaten.

"It would also take a huge bite out of the Green Belt."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: "This illustrates vividly the danger to the valley.

"This scheme halves the gap between Burley and Ben Rhydding - if another development transpired along Coutances Way we would merge.

"It could be the start of a persistent jigsaw of building sites along the valley, a disaster.

"We could finish as 'anywheresville' instead of beautiful Wharfedale.

"The object of the Green Belt is to stop that eventuality.

"There needs to be a change to National Planning Policy Framework to stop that happening, and a 'brown field first' clause should be reintroduced."

Concerns have been voiced online, too, with Fiona Burton's post on the Ilkley Chat Facebook page typical of the mood.

She said: "Infrastructure and services are at breaking point already.

"What is the point of Green Belt land if councils and developers can just run roughshod over the legislation?"

Hundreds of additional new homes have been included for Wharfedale communities in Bradford Council's still-to-be-approved Local Development Plan Core Strategy - with some 700 earmarked for Burley.

Campaigners, however, are hoping those targets will be cut back following fresh hearings this May - and Burley Parish Council will be submitting a 3,000 word document to set out its position.