A NEW 34-home 'luxury' village built on the site of the former Middleton Hospital would not lead to more traffic dangers in the area, developers have claimed.

"The proposal would not give rise to road safety problems," highway engineer Mike Pearmain told a public inquiry at Harrogate Town Hall on Tuesday.

Mr Permain told the hearing that the development would be accompanied by safety improvements on Carter's Lane, Middleton, and the creation of a new lay-by for people dropping off children at Westville House School, the former nurses' home for the TB sanatorium.

In addition, the developer was also willing to reinstate the former Carter's Lane W4 bus service with an expanded route taking passengers to and from central Ilkley and the railway station.

After discussions with the transport authority, developer Hearthstead Homes, has agreed to create a bus stop and turning roundabout at the centre of the housing estate and fund the bus service for the next five years.

Department of the Environment planning inspector Ruth MacKenzie was holding the public inquiry after Hearthstead appealed against Harrogate Council's non-determination of its planning application for the site.

Harrogate planners at a subsequent meeting determined that they were minded to reject the plan anyway. Although the site overlooks Ilkley, it is in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty and Harrogate Council is responsible for the area.

In its evidence to the inquiry, Ilkley Civic Society says that the development would lead to more traffic problems on Carter's Lane and on the narrow Denton Bridge over the river Wharfe.

This suggestion is supported by the evidence of Harrogate Council highway engineer Ian Johnston.

He told the inspector: "Traffic levels will increase along Carter's Lane and across Denton Bridge."

Civic Society member Bob Tilley said: "Access to the site is via narrow, winding country lanes. The road direct from Middleton is steep and narrow, with the road surface breaking away at the edges due to water erosion in places. The valley road can be closed due to flooding."

However, the hearing was told that Bradford Council, which is responsible for Carter's Lane, had withdrawn its highway objections to the scheme after discussions with Hearthstead.

David Cartwright, of the Ilkley Design Statement Group, told the hearing: "We also oppose the proposed development on the grounds that the local roads, and especially the one-way Denton Bridge, will be quite unable to deal with the extra traffic likely to be generated, seriously exacerbating an already dangerous situation."

Mr Permain said that the extra traffic generated from 34 new homes on the site would not warrant alterations to Carter's Lane on safety grounds but the company was willing to carry them out anyway, to satisfy those who were worried about road safety in the area.

He said that parts of the lane would be widened to create passing places, narrowed to a single lane in one part to slow traffic down and extra warning signs could be put in.

"It would provide traffic management and road safety improvements without having an adverse visual impact," said Mr Permain.

He said he estimated the extra traffic using Denton Bridge would result in at most five or six extra vehicles turning right off the bridge at the morning peak hour, but argued that the installation of the new lights at Wheatley Lane would make it easier for them to do so.

He said: "No detrimental impact is expected at Denton Bridge with no improvements necessary, but the developer has agreed to fund 'Keep Clear' markings. The proposal would not give rise to road safety problems.

"I consider the proposals are acceptable from a highways point of view and I would ask the inspector to allow the appeal."

The inquiry, at Harrogate Town Hall, began last week and was expected to conclude today.

Mrs MacKenzie is planning to make a site visit and has agreed to go to Ilkley's Cow and Calf rocks to see the view of the area from there. Her decision is expected in the next few weeks.