A husband and wife are objecting to Bradford Council's planning blueprint which would prevent their land being developed for housing for at least ten years.

Peter and Jean Lloyd, who are retired, told an inquiry into the proposed Unitary Development Plan that there had been planning permission for housing on the site behind Greenfield Farm, off Sycamore Grove, Steeton-with-Eastburn and they had been in discussions with developers.

But under Bradford Council's new UDP proposals the land is recommended to be "safeguarded" so the couple would not be able to sell it for housing until 2014. Mr Lloyd, who has lived there 15 years, told the inquiry that his land was originally part of a larger site which had since been developed for housing in the last ten years. "The builder has only done two thirds of it and left our third. We don't see why completing the work should be an issue," he said.

But Bradford Council planning officer Mark Hutchinson said the site had been reallocated because a Council sustainability study showed while it is close to existing facilities it would be suitable only for limited development. But he added in a few years time when the land is reviewed this might have changed.

Mr and Mrs Lloyd contended that the site, bordered by housing, a playing field and power lines, will become "landlocked" so will not be accessible if it is just left although Mr Hutchinson said access was available via Sycamore Grove.

Mrs Lloyd contested the Council's claim that the site is poorly located in relation to employment areas, arguing there are big employers such as Airedale Hospital nearby.

But Mr Hutchinson said the number of cars parked at Steeton and Silsden railway station suggested that Bradford and Leeds are the main employment places and public transport to the site was not up to standard.

Government inspector Philip Asquith, who was overseeing the inquiry, agreed to make a site visit to establish the boundaries of the site, which were also disputed by Mr and Mrs Lloyd.