MEMBERS of a planning committee went against the advice of Council officers and refused plans for a major housing development to the South of Bradford.

A report by planning officers had recommended that members of Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee give the go ahead to a development of 146 homes on a field off Rooley Crescent, near the M606.

The application had been submitted by Caddick Land, who had said the scheme would provide rented housing.

But members of the committee raised numerous concerns about the proposals, from road safety issues to whether future residents would be at risk of dangerous contaminants.

The plans were due to be discussed by the committee in December, but concerns were raised that the development could scupper plans for a park and ride on a neighbouring plot of land.

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The company amended the plans to include a large road that would provide access to both the site and the park and ride.

The plans went before the committee again this morning, with officers saying the homes should be approved.

But members thought differently, and during a lengthy questioned several aspects of the scheme.

Among their concerns were fears that extra traffic would cause hazards on narrow Dean Beck Avenue, reports of contamination on the site and poor public transport links for future residents.

The plans have proved controversial, with a petition signed by over 400 people calling for the plan to be scrapped and a further 150 objection comments.

Some of the objection comments were seemingly critical of the Councillors who sit on the committee, saying they were "not bothered" because they don't live hear the site and that the application was a "done deal."

At Thursday's meeting Chair Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) pointed out that tests of some of the site found elements of arsenic and lead on the site that were not compatible with residential development.

He said: "That, to me, sets alarm bells ringing."

He and other members pointed out that the land was close to the former Odsal tip, which was, in the 1990s, considered one of the most polluted tip sites in the UK.

Officers pointed out that Environmental Officers had not raised any serious concerns about the plans.

Members heard that the nearest bus stop was far beyond the recommended 400 metres from the homes. The report said there were regular bus services to and from the site.

But Cllr Warburton pointed out that some routes were only one bus every hour, and others didn't start until 9.20am - well after most people would want to commute. He added: "To say this site is connected by frequent services is absolutely ridiculous."

Councillor Sarah Ferriby (Lab, Wyke) spoke against the plans, saying it would have "unacceptable impacts" on highway safety and add to congestion in an area that already has poor air quality.

The applicants said the development would improve the site, creating much needed housing and opening up parts of a private field to public use.

But members felt there were too many issues with the proposals, and voted to refuse the plans.

The reasons for refusal were highway safety concerns due to the extra traffic on neighbouring roads, poor public transport links and the dangers of contamination of the adjacent site spreading to this land.