Councillors are backing a campaign by residents against housing which they believe will destroy the peace of a Bradford suburb.

A planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council for permission to build up to 50 houses on the site of Park Lodge, in Leeds Road, Thackley.

Access to the proposed new estate would be via Park Avenue, which rarely sees much traffic, and Leeds Road which is the main route between Shipley to Greengates.

Protesters are worried that the Leeds Road access would create further traffic problems at Thackley corner and could cause serious accidents to pupils who attend Immanual CE Community College.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle) said: "It is risking the safety of these children to put a development of this size so close to the school. The access of the site on Leeds Road would be close to where 1,200 children cross the road each day and would be completely inappropriate.

"Park Lodge was accepted as a site that could be developed but that was long before Immanuel College was built."

Crisis meetings have been held at Thackley Cricket Club and Thackley School to hear the views of councillors and residents.

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle) said: "There are already huge traffic problems with the building of the new school and there would be further traffic chaos as Park Road, which runs from Park Avenue to Leeds Road, is very narrow and it is impossible for two cars to pass each other.

"If the application is passed then there will be strong objections about it which will have to be dealt with. So why set up problems now which we know we will have to deal with in the future?"