The houses were given the go-ahead in Bradford's planning blueprint for the future, the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and will be built on acres of green belt land, which until now has been classed as open countryside.

Silsden Town Action Group (STAG) was formed to fight the UDP, but lost its battle following a ruling from a Government inspector.

However, parish councillor, environmentalist and STAG member Keith Norris wrote to the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development claiming Bradford's UDP was out of line with worldwide rulings.

Now he has had a reply, saying the matter is to be passed onto the Permanent Mission of the UK for the UN.

"I think it's being taken as seriously as it could be," said Mr Norris.

In his letter, Mr Norris claims that building on green belt land in Silsden would not address the needs of the poor and homeless in Bradford, and would increase traffic. He also alleges the environmental impact of the development has not been assessed.

* The full cost of Bradford Council's UDP public inquiry has been revealed at £1 million. Silsden Parish Council had asked for a breakdown of the costs, which had not been possible. Bradford Council told members this figure compared favourably with other inquiries.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.