A CHURCH could be built on a prominent site in Menston.

Traffic fears have so far prevented the development of former hotel Acacia House, Burley Road - and now an application for flats for the elderly has been withdrawn.

Residents now believe that an application for a church on the site is about to be submitted.

Developers are continuing to demolish the house and the two properties on either side of it, which is right on the A65 roundabout with the A6038 Otley Road.

Ilkley Parish Councillor Audrey Brand said: "We are waiting for a new planning application to build and it has been said that it will be for a church, but we've not had a planning application yet."

Coun Brand said she welcomed the demolition of the houses on the site rather than see the area become derelict.

An earlier plan by Warmfield Developments and Antler Homes to demolish Acacia House and build 16 flats for the elderly was turned down by Bradford Council because about highways concerns.

The parish council at the time was concerned about access onto the A65 together with future developments along the road including the housing plan for High Royd's Hospital.

Coun Brand said potential problems with the access to the site would have to be sorted before any application could be given planning permission.

"The road is very busy and if it was a church there would not be daily traffic but there would be traffic at the weekends, especially if it was a good congregation."

l Amended plans for a closed day centre for the elderly in Menston is expected to be submitted shortly.

Heather Court, in St Peter's Way, Menston, is owned by property developer Persimmon Homes, which wants to build homes with car parking on the site.

An earlier plan for 52 flats and five town houses, with a 79 space car park, was rejected by Bradford Council and an amended scheme is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Coun Brand said she believed the new scheme would be reduced to 54 homes and 76 car parking spaces.

Heather Court was closed by Bradford Council in October 2001 because it was considered not financially viable.

Coun Brand said as soon as she had the plan she would put it up for display at Menston Library.

Residents can also hear the recommendation of the parish council at its plans meeting at Ilkley Town Hall. The meetings are held every Monday from 7.30pm.