DEVELOPERS at the centre of a controversial housing plan which has angered more than 400 Guiseley residents have been told to go back to the drawing board by planning chiefs.

Persimmon Homes' plans for 92 flats five storeys high, six houses and 10 maisonettes at the former YEB depot off Back Lane will be rejected unless the scheme is altered, city councillors at Tuesday's planning meeting heard.

A slightly revised scheme altering the development from 117 dwellings to 108 has already been branded as not enough.

The news boosts the hundreds of residents who recently packed two public meetings to fight the proposals.

Chief planning officer Martin Sellens said: "The density of the proposals is very high. My view is that unless the scheme substantially changes, it will be refused permission.

"The developers have tinkered around with the scheme but not addressed the issues we have made.

"This report essentially puts a marker in the sand for the developer."

Mr Sellens added that if Persimmon substantially changed the scheme, it would be re-advertised to allow local people the chance to comment again.

Councillor Mike Dunn (Lab, Aireborough) said: "I doubt whether the reduction from 117 dwellings to 108 will cut much ice with the people who are

objecting."

And Coun John Proctor (Cons, Wetherby) added: "I am still hopeful that planning officers will come forward with a report at next month's planning meeting that outlines reasons for refusing this dreadful application."

A report said the development was too dense, is out of keeping for the area and existing housing, there was insufficient information to consider highways issues, inadequate car parking, land contamination issues and greenspace.

In total, 225 letters of objection were submitted with a 443-name petition.

n COUNCILLORS have approved outline plans for a residential development at the Greenwoods Menswear site at Otley Road, Guiseley.

The redevelopment will finance Greenwoods' plans to relocate its distribution centre and warehouses to nearer the motorway s in South Leeds and relocate its office facilities elsewhere in the Aireborough/Horsforth area.

But Councillor John Proctor said: "Many members feel we were led up the garden path with promises about safeguarding jobs with the Silver Cross application."

Coun Mick Dunn also said that the Silver Cross development was a warning but said there was concern in Aireborough about the loss of employment and added that there are a number of industrial sites in the area which are likely to suffer the same fate as this site.

Chief planning officer Marytin Sellens added: "We made Greenwoods go through quite a few hoops to satisfy us and they have submitted a lot of information."