Planners have deferred making a decision until the end of the month on controversial proposals for a housing development overlooking Saltaire village.

Keyland Developments, which wants to build on the site in West Lane, Baildon, will have to wait until September 25 for a decision after Shipley Area Planning Panel deferred the application due to late objections over possible archaeological and historical interest in the land.

The 3.1 hectares of land are used to hold two reservoirs, one of which has been removed, and the other is almost empty.

Shipley MP Chris Leslie and 20 residents, who believe the development will be a blight on the landscape, have written letters of protest.

"I am staggered by this proposed development," said Mr Leslie.

"This is a very valuable piece of greenfield land and should be green-belt.

"Because there was a reservoir there, it is being regarded as liable for building which is a misinterpretation in my view.

"Far too many houses have been built in Baildon in recent years, there is considerable traffic and we have had enough.

"The Council and councillors need to put in a more robust defence for some of these last remaining green-field sites, not offer them up for development."

Protesters are worried about access to the site, extra traffic and visual impact.

Planning officers have recommended that the plans be accepted on condition that 30 per cent of the development is 'affordable' housing, and developers give £50,000 towards recreational facilities.

Kevin McHugh, chairman of the West Lane Action Group that has been battling for nine years to keep the land green, said: "The community is against it and the MP is against it. The only people who will benefit from this are the developers."

Bradford Council has also received an application from Persimmon Homes for 108 homes on the same site.