Bradford Council looks set to back plans to sell off Leeds Bradford Airport - despite warnings it could have a "disastrous" effect on communities in Wharfedale and Aireborough.

Bradford's ruling Conservative group has confirmed it is backing in principle proposals to privatise the municipal airport.

Last week Leeds City Council agreed to employ consultants to oversee the majority or total sell off of its 40 per cent share.

At Friday's Executive Board meeting, councillors were told that the future success of the airport would be best served by a change in ownership.

A report to the committee said following discussions with other shareholding authorities, the council should sell the majority or all of its shares.

But Executive Board members heard that a number of issues would face the airport in the near future questioning whether its full potential could be realised under its present ownership.

In terms of ongoing success, the report concluded that the airport would be best served by a strategic investor who would optimise the potential for growth in an increasingly changing and international market.

A final decision on the precise form of disposal of shares will be made following advice from the consultants.

Leeds Bradford is jointly owned by West Yorkshire's five local authorities (with Leeds and Bradford each having a 40 per stake) but they are being asked to consider selling shares to a private investor.

Bradford's support for the idea comes only days after Otley town councillors warned that places like Yeadon and Otley could suffer the consequences of a more "commercially driven" airport.

Now Aireborough and Horsforth MP Paul Truswell is urging both local authorities to reconsider.

He said: "It is crucial that any sell-off does not sell out local communities in Horsforth and Aireborough.

"Leeds and Bradford councils need to focus on the consequences for the community, and not just on a cash windfall.

"Any definite plans for a sell-off must be the subject of public consultation regarding the implication for local communities.

"We need to know exactly how much of this privatisation windfall is going to be invested in measures to address the airport's current and future impact on local communities.

"The airport's Masterplan contained a number of proposals regarding public transport, such as a rail link, and some of the privatisation windfall should be invested in these.

"People know the airport is a fact of life with which they have to live, but any growth plans - especially if this is part of a sell-off deal - need to be balanced with issues of noise, flying times, congestion, road safety and public transport.

"At the moment the councils decide on the airport's development, rather than anyone else. I have serious reservations about their relinquishing that power, even though local people do not feel it has been exercised with due regard to them.

"I would prefer the airport to remain entirely publicly owned.

"But if shares are sold it is absolutely crucial that a controlling interest is retained by the councils, so that the environmental impacts can be properly reflected in any future decision-making."

Bradford Council's leader Councillor Margaret Eaton, however, says the Conservative group agrees with the sale in principle but believes a financial appraisal is needed before a decision is taken.

Bradford's Labour group is opposed to a sell-off, and its leader Councillor Ian Greenwood has vowed to propose a vote of no confidence in Coun Eaton if the proposal goes ahead.

Coun Greenwood said: "There is a risk that whoever takes over will be another airport that will look to strip out the scheduled flights, which are the flights used by businessmen.

"The only way to ensure that is to keep it in public ownership. Selling the majority share would be for short-term gains which would act to the detriment of the district."

But Coun Eaton argues that private money would provide a "great boost" to the airport.

She said: "The whole council should make an informed decision based on further information. Kneejerk reactions are unhelpful.

"We will be putting a discussion paper on this subject to full council and there will probably be a consultation to see how people feel."

An independent report commissioned by Leeds says the airport's future success would be best served by a majority or outright sale to a strategic investor.

Under the plans Leeds Bradford, which attracts more than two million passengers a year and is valued at £36.45 million, would be sold as a going concern.