AN unpopular scheme to build three luxury houses on green land in Rawdon could be scaled down thanks to residents' protests.

The plot in question is a former allotment site with drainage problems, which sits in the middle of houses on Markham Avenue and Markham Croft.

Developer Morris & Son Construction Ltd wants to create three detached homes, all of which would have four first floor bedrooms, two with a fifth bedroom in the loft.

But 19 residents have objected to the scheme, concerned about over-dominance, loss of privacy, drainage and sewage issues, and poor access.

Markham Avenue resident Phil Gomersall spelt out those worries to Leeds planners last Thursday.

He said: "Questions have to be asked about how outline planning permission was granted in the first place.

"This site is not suitable for development. The access is now too restricted to allow large vehicles, especially emergency vehicles, in.

"The outline permission was for three dwellings, not three detached, luxury homes which would be taller than any houses in the vicinity.

"The only acceptable dwellings for this site would be bungalows.

"These properties would block nearly all the direct sunlight to my home, especially in winter.

"They're not affordable dwellings and do not complement the character of the area."

Mr Gomersall went on to suggest that the drainage problems on the site, which has clay soil, could lead to a sewage system which constituted a health hazard.

And he suggested that since there was a waiting list for allotments in Aireborough the land could be returned to allotments and the developer given an alternative plot.

The landowner, speaking for Morris & Son Construction Ltd, said as a former resident he understood the concerns and had already re-arranged the plots, and suggested more screening, to try and help.

He said: "I'm concerned about the overall effect the development will have on residents and I've worked hard to try and make it more acceptable."

But that was not enough for Councillor Graham Latty (Con, Guiseley and Rawdon).

He said: "Whilst I have to concede that Mr Morris appears to be doing what he can, I honestly and truly believe that a development of this intensity on this size of plot, which until recently had no access is going to be overbearing and overpowering.

"It will certainly be to the detriment of the residents' amenity and for the house on Markham Croft, it's going to be like looking out at the Matterhorn.

"These are big houses on a very small site and I find it totally unacceptable."

Coun Stuart Andrew agreed but suggested a possible way forward.

He said: "We have to have a look at these dwellings, they're too big. I would like planning officers to get together with ward members and the developer to see if we can get them as normal, two storey houses."

Coun Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon), whilst expressing disbelief that outline permission had been granted, backed that idea.

So did Plans Panel (West) chairman Coun Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon).

Rounding up the debate, he said: "We do feel that the three houses proposed are not suitable for this particular site and in its totality, the development is over-intensive.

"I would prefer to defer and delegate this to see if a compromise size and layout can be arrived at."

Speaking after the meeting, however, Mr Gomersall said residents were sceptical about the chances of a decent compromise being reached.

He said: "We think this is a fudge because it's not going to go back to panel and that means if nothing's agreed then it will go ahead as it is.

"I think they've dumped the responsibility onto the ward councillors."