THE REJECTION of plans to build 62 houses on the edge of Silsden has been welcomed by local politicians.

The town’s three district councillors spoke against the proposed development in fields off Bolton Road during a Bradford Council planning meeting.

The outline plans for a new estate off Bolton Road had already attracted objections from residents in the nearby Town Head area of Silsden.

Householders and councillors had claimed existing traffic problems in Bolton Road would be worsened by new residents trying to access the road from the estate.

And they feared further pressure already-stretched infrastructure in the town, particularly the oversubscribed infant and primary schools.

Silsden’s mayor, Councillor Chris Atkinson, had demanded that Silsden’s long-awaited bypass was built before any new housing developments were approved along Bolton Road.

Cllrs Atkinson, Adrian Naylor and Andrew Mallinson – who all represent Craven ward on Bradford Council – attended Thursday's meeting of the Regulatory and Appeals committee.

Bradford Council planning officers had recommended approval for the outline plans, subject to several technical conditions.

But the Regulatory and Appeals committee turned down the outline application, mainly due to their concerns about a proposed junction with Bolton Road.

Cllr Naylor said there were also concerns that approval could encourage other applications to develop land on the opposite side of Bolton Road.