Bradford Council’s handling of a planning issue has been branded “a shambles” by a conservationist battling a housing scheme.

Objectors claim people have not been properly told that they have more time to comment on a plan to build homes near Ashwell Farm, Heaton.

John Tempest, of Heaton Woods Trust, challenged a January 2 deadline for comments on the scheme, saying it was too short a timespan given the festive holidays.

“I rang the planning department and they agreed to extend the deadline by a week,” said Mr Tempest. “But this was only said to me personally. It has not been made generally public and people can’t be expected to learn about something like this by word of mouth.”

The row centres on a scheme by Asghar Choudhury to build new homes on the Ashwell Road site. The Council granted outline permission in 2010. But this lapsed and Mr Choudhury submitted a new application on December 5.

“Some people got letters telling them of the new application and that they have until January 2 to comment,” said Mr Tempest. “We should be notified as a body.” He also says a helpline for planning issues is ‘on holiday’ to January 13.