Concerns have been raised about a proposed development of 150 homes in a field near Airedale General Hospital.

Outline planning permission could be sought for the housing scheme on Main Road, in Eastburn, bordering the hospital and Eastburn House Farm.

Agent Matthew Binns, of Skipton-based David Hill Chartered Surveyors, spoke about the proposed development at an extraordinary meeting of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council.

Mr Binns said the proposal for about 150 detached and semi-detached homes would include an access road, a traffic light junction on Main Road and a drop-off point for children at Eastburn Junior and Infant School. It would also incorporate an emergency access for the hospital.

“The hospital has only got one access at the moment,” he said. “This new one would only be used in emergency and wouldn’t always be in use.”

The 6.2-hectare site has been earmarked for housing in Bradford Council’s Unitary Development Plan.

“We know there’s got to be housing there, but we don’t want housing that’s going to be a dormitory for Leeds,” said Councillor David Mullen, chairman of the parish council. “It’s got to fit into the rest of the area.”

Coun Roger Lambert also raised concerns about the distance of the proposed development from the train station.

He said: “The distance from the site to the train station is probably too far to walk. It’s about two kilometres, which will mean more cars parking at the train station.”

“If this development goes through, I can see the already busy roads getting worse,” added Coun Mullen. “There will be nowhere for the traffic to go. At busy times, it can take cars 15 to 20 minutes to get through Steeton lights.”

Coun Andrew Mallinson (Con, Craven) expressed his concerns about having two major light-controlled junctions so close to Airedale Hospital.

“There will be signal junction at Thornhill Road and one for the proposed access road to the site, both of which would pinch points, making it almost impossible for vehicles to get through.

“I would fight very strongly against having two major pinch points so close to a major hospital.”

“The residents of this village feel the infrastructure is beyond threadbare now,” added Coun Lambert, who said some residents would find it difficult “to even entertain the notion of more houses”.

Mr Binns said the developers would “take on board” all comments from the meeting, as well as points raised at a public consultation yesterday.