PLANS to site a bathroom fittings factory in the middle of an Ilkley residential area have been rejected.

The decision was taken by the head planning officer and the chairman of the Keighley area planning sub-committee using delegated powers because of the opposition from nearby residents.

A spokesman for the planning department said that the plan was rejected because of the expected impact of industrial processes on the residential area, and the expected road safety problems caused by increased traffic.

Ilkley businessman David Harrison, who wanted to move his expanding Cavalier Marketing business from Silsden to Ilkley had already indicated that he would be looking elsewhere because of adverse local reaction to the plan.

Planners now face the dilemma of deciding on the most appropriate development at the former Woolmark research and development building on Valley Drive.

The official designation of the site is light industrial which limits the type of operations that can be carried out there.

The building is not an ideal type to be divided up into offices and any other manufacturing process would mean a change of designation to full industrial use, a step likely to come up against the same groundswell of opposition as Mr Harris' plan.

It is expected that the site could be redesignated as housing land which would suit the residents and fulfil Bradford's committment to encourage housing development on 'brownfield' sites rather than the green belt.

Ilkley District Councillor Martin Smith (Con) said the site would be ideal for affordable housing but he stressed the need to create open spaces and play areas for children.

"I think changing the designation of the site would be totally acceptable because of the need for starter homes and low-cost housing," said Coun Smith.

Bradford Council would have to alter the Unitary Development Plan to redesignate the land but as there would be no expected opposition, plans from housing developers could be submitted before the end of the year.

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