A FISH and chip restaurant and takeaway proposed for a landmark green belt site at a major route into Ilkley has already met with opposition.

Ilkley Parish Council's plans committee has called for district planning chiefs to reject the plans for a 160-seater Wetherby Whaler restaurant and takeaway at Pride Rock Park, Coutances Way.

Developer Betterfish Ltd also planned to convert part of the land, currently being used as a caravan showroom and caravan storage area, into playing fields for Ilkley Football Club.

But parish councillors attacked the plan, saying it did not demonstrate the criteria needed for building on green belt land.

A previous plan by major Ilkley-based firm the NG Bailey Organisation to build offices on the Coutances Way site failed because the company was unable to demonstrate 'very special circumstances' for choosing to build on that site.

Parish Council plans committee chairman, Councillor Kate Brown, told the Gazette: "We do not feel there's a need for an additional fish and chip restaurant in this area."

She pointed out that there are already similar restaurants several miles away, including Harry Ramsden's in Guiseley and Murgatroyds in Yeadon, as well as numerous fish and chip shops in Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Addingham.

Parish councillors also felt the restaurant would generate additional traffic and cause highways problems on the already-busy A65.

They said people were unlikely to go to the takeaway on foot, by bicycle or by bus, as the developer had proposed, and claimed the design of the restaurant was out of character with the area.

"This is a gateway to a historic town," said Coun Brown, who described the previous plan by NG Bailey as a 'quality design'.

Councillors also questioned the need for outdoor playing facilities, which could be accommodated elsewhere in town.

Coun Brown said the recent community consultation for the Ilkley Parish Plan highlighted a wish for indoor sports facilities, but no call for outdoor facilities.

There was also some concern from the council about potential pollution and litter resulting from a restaurant development on Coutances Way, which stands close to a nature reserve.

The plan it self is expected to be determined by Bradford Council. Bradford Council's Ilkley Planning Office confirmed that three letters of objection to the plan had been received.