Work on a big new sports field for a Thackley school has been suspended by Bradford Council's planning department because it would create an "alien" landscape.

Idle Liberal Democrat ward councillor Jeanette Sunderland, pictured, stepped in after receiving calls from residents that parts of the scheme on green belt land were more than 12 feet higher than the planning permission.

Now area planning manager Steve Mennell, who has visited the site, has asked contractors employed by Bradford Council to stop the work because the amendments done without permission would create a "totally alien" landscape, spoiling the area for residents.

He added the work broke conditions of planning permission originally granted for the scheme at Immanuel College.

Coun Sunderland said: "This is green belt land and there was a lot of local concern about how it would affect people's views."

Today families living nearby described their shock as contractors arrived and created mounds of earth which blocked out their views.

Maureen Greig, who lives nearby, said: "It was a rural scene with undulating fields. This isn't what we were expecting. It has been like army tanks, but it is on hold at the moment."

A Bradford Council education department spokesman said: "We are liaising with the contractor, planning department and architects to agree minor changes to the level of two of the six sports pitches being built and expect work to restart this week."