A BUILDER’S yard in the greenbelt can be developed for housing – a planning committee has decided.

On Wednesday, councillors approved an application to demolish outbuildings and replace them with a three-bed detached house on the yard next to 9 Back Heights Road, outside of Thornton.

Members were told that while the site was technically in the greenbelt, there were other homes nearby, and the site was currently occupied by a workshop, garage, and wood store.

There had been eight objections to the plans, raising concerns about highways safety and how the property would look next to the older homes next to the site.

But planning officers recommended the plan be approved when it went to the Bradford Area Planning Panel on Wednesday.

William Cartwright, agent for the applicant Allan Hobbs, said: “This would be a much-needed new home on previously developed land.”

Members voted to approve the development.