Plans for a controversial waste tip in Denholme look set to receive the go-ahead in spite of staunch opposition from hundreds of residents.

Bradford council planners are recommending approval of a plan to develop a landfill site at Buck Park Quarry that will take 250,000 tonnes of rubbish annually over a 10-year period.

The proposals, lodged by Humberside company Wastewise, will go before Shipley Area Planning Panel on Monday.

Last July councillors went against their officers and refused the application on the grounds of visual impact, level of smells generated, environmental impact to the surrounding area and the threat to pedestrian safety.

Wastewise resubmitted the plans following a legal appeal which Bradford council decided not to contest.

Denholme Residents Action Group is still confident that it can persuade members on the planning panel to refuse the application for a second time.

DRAG member Bryan Church says: "We have given it our best shot and the hundreds of people who turned up for the last protest walk proved the village is right behind us."

Councillor Russell Driver will voice Denholme Town Council's opposition to the waste tip.

He will also argue that the tip will be in contravention of the European Union directive that states no tip should be located within 250 metres of residential housing. A cluster of homes at Buck Park Farm and Whalley Lane fall within this category.

The town council is also writing to the Environment Agency to voice concern about the use of pesticide Alfadex, which it claims Wastewise proposes to use to control odours and flies.

Wastewise says it will restore Buck Park Quarry to agricultural land and woods after dumping has finished.

It has also agreed to carry out tree planting to screen the site before work begins, and will start a woodland management scheme to protect footpaths and protect wildlife.

The investment is on top of £500,000 the company will spend to improve the junction of Whalley Lane and the A629 and £40,000 to provide a puffin crossing on Main Road.

Wastewise project manager Nick Davies says: "We have acted positively to address the concerns of residents and I hope now that we can move forward."