A DEVELOPER working on a controversial new housing scheme in Keighley has had an enforcement notice served against it by Bradford Council.

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, which is responsible for the 124-home Branshaw Park Development, off Occupation Lane, received a notice for failing to use a wheel washer for construction vehicles leaving the site.

The company says it has now complied with the notice.

Keighley West wcouncillor Adrian Farley said for the last 18 months he has fielded complaints from residents about thick mud from construction vehicles’ wheels being deposited on Camborne Way, which is the vehicle access to the development.

He added: “From the outset residents have raised this problem informally with Persimmon, but I understand relations have deteriorated and Persimmon aren’t listening.

“Residents have been very frustrated and upset about their complaints falling on deaf ears.

“I’m disappointed it has come to this, and I’m disappointed Persimmon has been unwilling to listen to me, to residents or to Bradford Council officers.

“But I do welcome the latest enforcement and hope it goes some way towards improving the lives of those people in the area who are affected.

“If the notice is not complied with there will be legal action against Persimmon in the magistrates court.”

The council enforcement notice, which is dated January 10, gave Persimmon 28 days to comply with planning conditions by providing and using a vehicle wheel wash facility.

But a spokesman for the housing firm this week responded: “A wheel washer is now fully operational on site. We take our duty as a housebuilder extremely seriously and everyone on site has been reminded of their responsibilities.”

Responding to concerns about the amount of water running off the land, the spokesman added: “The surface water from our Branshaw Park development is currently being collected and stored on site, as the surface water drains are not yet connected to the existing drainage systems in the area.

“Once this connection is made the water discharge rates will be in accordance with our planning obligations.

“In addition, various silt mitigation and management procedures are currently in place on site which will assist in further reducing any overland surface water.”

The development has previously attracted criticism, with nearby residents complaining about the impact the work is having on their lives.

Persimmon has admitted the site poses “technical challenges”, exacerbated by bad weather. But some of the development’s houses have now been completed and are already occupied.