A KEIGHLEY campaign group has demanded that councillors making decisions on major Keighley planning applications meet in the town.

Bandag have written to Bradford Council complaining that residents objecting to local schemes must travel to the city to be heard.

Members were dismayed that an application for 28 homes on the former Parkwood Rise allotments would be discussed in Bradford this week.

A Bandag spokesman suggested that “unpopular” planning proposals were discussed at such a distance to deter all but the most determined objectors from attending.

Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel, which makes most of the planning decisions affecting the town, usually holds its monthly meetings at Keighley Town Hall.

But some major schemes are moved up to the more powerful Regulatory and Appeals committee, which meets fortnightly at City Hall.

Bandag campaigns for more housing to be built on town centre ‘brownfield’ sites rather than unspoilt countryside.