PLANS for nearly 60 homes have been approved on two greenfield sites in and around Keighley.

And campaigners fighting one of the developments were criticised for not turning up to a crucial planning meeting.

One of the schemes will see up to 28 homes built on a former allotment site next to a wildlife area in Parkwood Rise, Keighley.

Today's meeting of Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee heard it had been set aside for housing under long-term council plans.

John Steel, agent for developer Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, said providing a mix of different size homes on the site would "widen the choice of housing in the locality and help to meet the council's housing targets".

The scheme comes with 15 per cent affordable housing, £21,000 for recreational facilities and £52,000 for local primary schools.

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But 11 people had written to the committee, calling for Keighley's empty homes to be brought back into use and derelict brownfield sites developed before green fields were built on.

Their letters also raised concerns about highways safety, overstretched GP surgeries and habitat loss for foxes, deer, hedgehogs and insects, but no objectors turned up at the meeting.

Committee member Councillor Malcolm Sykes (Con, Thornton and Allerton), said that was "a bit of a disappointment".

He said: "Which makes this decision fairly easy - that we should recommend this for approval."

Councillors approved the outline scheme unanimously, although separate approval will be needed for details such as the layout of the site.

The committee also approved an outline plan for up to 31 homes on a green field off Green Lane, Eastburn.

The plan includes 20 per cent affordable housing, various highways improvements, £32,000 towards local schools and £22,000 towards recreation.

One objector, Jean Ainsworth, of nearby Lyon Road, said Eastburn was at the boundary with North Yorkshire, and more new homes were planned for over the border.

Committee member Councillor Doreen Lee (Lab, Keighley East) said the Aire Valley had a sub-standard sewer system and she feared new homes would add to the problem.

She said: "I am concerned there is a stage where we as a council have to draw the line and do something about this sewage system in there, because I just do not see how long we can continue to go on building."

But the committee was told that the development's foul drainage system would have to be approved by the council before work started.