A COUNCILLOR has spoken out against residents who are campaigning to stop a proposed supermarket in the town.

Cllr Andrew Mallinson believes the residents are misguided in their attempts to stop the development of the 2.9 hectare site off Keighley Road, Silsden.

He disagrees with the campaigners’ claim that existing shops in Silsden will be badly hit by the new supermarket.

He said: “Those shops serve the people of Silsden, and I’m confident people will still use them on a regular basis.

“People signing petitions against the supermarket have lost sight of how big Silsden is. It is no longer a village, it’s a town, and it deserves better.

“As part of Silsden’s natural expansion it needs easy access to large retailers. The people of Silsden and surrounding areas deserve choice.”

Cllr Mallinson, who represents Craven Ward on Bradford Council, spoke after Tesco pulled out of the plans to develop the former site of Becks Mill, building a 2,709 sq m store, 173-space car park and a petrol station.

Development company Silvermantle is spearheading the planning application and originally signed up Tesco as the eventual operator. The bid is likely to be discussed by Bradford Council planners this month.