CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 124 houses have been passed by a Government inspector, after originally being rejected by Bradford Council.

The planning inspectorate has given a green light to the proposals submitted by Persimmon Homes, after the developer appealed against the Council's decision.

Bradford Council planning chiefs had turned down the development in Occupation Lane, Keighley, because they feared it would create unjustified access to the junction of Wheathead Lane and Oakworth Road, without any new measures to control extra traffic.

There were also concerns residents of the new estate would try to use a second access along Occupation Lane, which is little more than a track.

Persimmon says the actual access to the estate will be via Camborne Way.

Reacting to the appeal outcome, Keighley West ward councillor Adrian Farley said: "I'm devastated, because residents have worked hard to explain the genuine reasons why it should not be allowed – mainly on highways and local road infrastructure grounds.

"I'm also disappointed because the earlier decision to refuse it was made by local councillors, and this shows a total disregard for the views of those councillors. It's an affront to the planning process."

Explaining why the scheme for land south of Occupation Lane should go ahead, the Government-appointed inspector who adjudicated the appeal said: "I accept delays and inconvenience may occur at times as a result of the flow of traffic being encumbered by on-street parking.

"But I'm not persuaded this would result in highway conditions on Wheathead Lane which could reasonably be described as hazardous.

"I noted that parking immediately next to the Wheathead Lane – Oakworth Road junction was restricted by double yellow lines, which had the effect of maintaining reasonable visibility and functionality of the junction.

"Turning to the matter of queuing traffic at the Wheathead Lane – Oakworth Road junction, even taking into account the worst case scenario in the 2014 Transport Assessment, the increase in the mean maximum queue levels would only be one or two cars during peak hours.

"I'm satisfied that while there would be a limited adverse impact related to the flow of traffic, the capacity of the junction would remain within acceptable bounds."

He said Persimmon was proposing adequate measures to ensure the new homes do not result in use of the unadopted section of Occupation Lane as a short-cut between Camborne Way and Keighley Road.

"I'm satisfied levels of traffic generated by the proposed development would be able to be accommodated along Camborne Way, without adverse impact on highway safety," he said.

Keighley West ward councillor Brian Morris said the housing estate would destroy one of the last green spaces in this part of Keighley.

"It's a shame the decision has gone against the wishes of local residents yet again," he said.

"Planning laws need a complete overhaul. They do not take into account the concerns of residents."

The application has also been opposed by Keighley housing campaign group BANDAG.

Commenting earlier this year, when news of the appeal was revealed, the group said development companies were well aware that councils could not afford to fight appeals due to the high legal costs involved.