Developers have denied they will cut the amount of social housing in plans to develop wasteland in Shipley where flats dubbed “the worst in Bradford” once stood.

Councillors are concerned that Keepmoat Homes would reduce the number of rented homes after agreeing with social housing trust Incommunities to build almost 160 properties near Woodend Crescent, Windhill.

Some of the proposed homes will be sold to private buyers and 54 are due to be social housing units run by the trust However, councillors have voiced concerns that the amount of social housing could be reduced. Councillor John Hall (Lib Dem, Windhill and Wrose) said: “Last time we spoke to Incommunities, they said the prospective developers would be asking to build fewer affordable homes.

“They had agreed to provide so many low-cost homes and that was fairly substantial but the economy has changed. It would be a shame because there is already a shortage of housing.”

Labour councillor Vanda Greenwood added: “Because of the credit crunch, Haslam Homes was discussing about how many homes to give over to Incommunities. I heard it was thinking about giving fewer than originally planned.”

However, a spokesman for Keepmoat Homes, which used to be called Haslam Homes, said: “There are no proposals to change any of the plans for social housing. Keepmoat is continuing to work to the original brief.”

Coun Greenwood said she remained unconvinced. She said: “They are haggling over how many properties they are going to have on the site. If that is not the case, then why are they taking so long to start the development?”

The proposals have been welcomed because the area, off Leeds Road, has become a target for vandals since the former flats on the site were torn down more than three years ago.

Incommunities, which owns the land, inherited the premises in the stock transfer from Bradford Council in 2003.

At the time the area was branded an eyesore and the worst in Bradford by the then Shipley MP Chris Leslie. The demolition was part of a three-year, £25 million programme of improvements to homes in the Shipley area.

An Incommunities spokesman said: “A planning application was made by Haslam Homes in April 2008 to build 159 homes which includes provision for affordable homes for rent. The application is being considered by Bradford Council and given these circumstances it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk