Ilkley does not need more retail or commercial leisure development, an ongoing public inquiry into Bradford's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) was told this week

Barbara Cussons, of Ilkley Design Statement Group and Ilkley Civic Society, told the hearing there was no need for expansion in Ilkley. And she accused the current planning system of letting towns down.

Bradford Council planning officer Helen Wilkinson said there could be a need for more retail space in Ilkley, and it was necessary to identify areas for possible development as this might preserve other sites around town in the future when developers want to build.

But Mrs Cussons said current retail space in Ilkley was already under-used, with vacant units. She added that the town had lost garages, hotels and workshops needed to ensure Ilkley was a balanced and independent community.

"When do we draw the line on the number of restaurants and cafes in the town?" she asked. But Mrs Wilkinson said: "If there is no more need for shops it will mean maybe no retail will be put there."

The inquiry heard about whether the car park area of the former All Saints C of E School, Leeds Road, Ilkley, should be designated as a town centre expansion site. Housing has already been started on the school building part of the site.

Mrs Cussons said the site would cause road safety problems and the loss of much-needed parking spaces. But the Council argued parking could still be provided if it was developed, for example by adding another storey.

The inquiry also heard arguments for and against allocat-ing a site on Lower Wellington Road, next to Booths super-market, currently a builder's merchants, as an expansion site.

The inquiry is due to finish at the end of June and a report of the inspectors' findings will be published next year.