A multi-million pound plan to revamp Bingley town centre has been branded "cheap" by civic guardians.

But the developers of the proposed 5Rise scheme have insisted that their design is "high quality" and warned that if it doesn't go ahead Bingley will get a lower quality project.

Bingley Civic Trust, a charity founded in the 1960s to protect and enhance the town, reacted angrily to the 5Rise development.

They say plans to upgrade Myrtle Walk look "cheap and very thin on quality".

And, chairman Eileen Sinclair says, Bingley deserves the best.

She said: "Myrtle Walk has lasted 35 years. What we decide now will determine the future of Bingley town centre for the next 35 years. And Bingley deserves the best, something quite distinctive and well designed in local character and materials.

"Bingley has as much character to protect as Skipton, Ilkley and Otley. Now we have the bypass, we need to be turning the town centre proper in to a high-quality, attractive, pedestrianised shopping experience with proper arcades, shops, stalls, facilities and proper Yorkshire materials."

Now the charity has forwarded its objections, including the results of a members' questionnaire, to Bradford Council planners.

But developers 4Urban say their plans are of "high quality" and warned if they are not given the green light, residents will be stuck with a less developed scheme, which will include the roof coming off.

Halladale Group PLC won an appeal to refurbish the centre earlier this year, including the removal of the roof.

The centre was taken over by 4Urban and if their plans fall flat with planners, the Halladale scheme will be carried out for financial reasons.

Partner Richard Holmes said he was disappointed with the trust's view.

He said: "They are barking up the wrong tree. It will very much be at the high quality end, they have to bear in mind there are constraints within the site.

"We are desperately keen to see this go ahead. If it gets refused we will implement the Halladale scheme - time is money."

Mr Holmes, who lives in Bingley and says he is keen to create a centre he is proud of, said they had listened to people in the town and that the development will look more in keeping with the town.

He said: "We are getting rid of the cedar, that has disappeared now and it will look more like it is made of stone."

Bradford Council planners are set to determine the scheme, which includes 86 apartments, next Thursday, December 13.

e-mail: mel.fairhurst @bradford.newsquest.co.uk