PLANNERS look likely to give the go-ahead to a controversial housing development despite repeated objections from villagers.

Member of Keighley Area Panel were today being recommended to approve the demolition of a house and the building of two new homes in Addingham.

The plans for number 19 Green Lane have been opposed by Addingham Parish Council and have attracted eight letters of opposition from neighbours.

Developers want to knock down the former council house and replace it with the two new properties. But villagers claim the proposal is an over-development and that it is out of keeping with the original design.

They say the development would exacerbate existing parking problems and could lead to the destruction of a hedge along School Lane.

Residents are also concerned about a potential hazard for children crossing the road, and loss of light to neighbouring houses. In addition, they fear the plan could set a precedent for further developments between Green Lane and School Lane.

But a report to the panel today recommends that planning permission should be granted, subject to certain conditions.

This has drawn an angry response from people in the village. Parish Council chairman Gordon Campbell stressed: "We have objected strongly to this plan.

"We think it is gross exploitation by the developers of the property values within Addingham and it will help to destroy the community spirit within the village.

"If it goes ahead we will be very disappointed - as will the villagers. There is no reason other than sheer greed by the developers why one house should be destroyed and turned into two."

A previous scheme to build four new homes on the site was withdrawn in October of last year in the wake of concern from local people. But the report to today's meeting says that the scaled-down proposals are acceptable.

It says: "Residents have expressed fears about pedestrian safety, particularly for children crossing the road. As stated, one additional dwelling will not lead to a significant increase in the use of this access, and off-road parking is available."

The report says that in these circumstances the highway safety implications are considered to be acceptable.

It goes on: "The present scheme has been re-drawn to include two properties with a rough cast rendered finish to match the existing row.

"The existing building line would be continued up to the gable of the new dwelling, and the pattern of openings on the front elevation would be reflective of the row.

"Although the development would result in a row of five properties, as opposed to four, which is the original design, the overall impact and appearance would not be out of character."