PLANS to build housing on a Steeton site have been refused, with planning officers saying it would be harmful to the Green Belt.

An application for six detached houses on land between the rail line and Keighley Road in Steeton was submitted to the Council earlier this year.

If approved, the homes would be built on land called Hawkcliffe.

But the application, by a P Armitage, was refused by Bradford Council last week.

Officers said: “The houses would appear as sprawl and encroachment of development into the countryside.

Green Belt homes in Burley in Wharfedale refused a second time

“The development would significantly affect openness and run contrary to Green Belt - including to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another.

“Officers consider the proposal to present a clear and significant threat to the purposes of the Green Belt."

Officers added: “Development is likely to significantly diminish the biodiversity value of the site.”