A showcase building using the latest in eco-technology is to be built in Silsden as the pioneering headquarters for the Ecology Building Society.

The ambitious plans for the innovative development at land off Belton Road were passed subject to conditions last Thursday by Keighley planners.

Currently based in Cross Hills, the building society specialises in investment into environmentally sympathetic projects.

Bosses at the company wanted to create a concept which would minimise pollution and demonstrate eco-friendly design possibilities, and the new building will utilise a variety of different recycled materials.

The proposals include plans for a planted roof, which will be seeded. There will be energy saving light, heat and toilet facilities, and solar panels will part-provide the building's hot water.

There will be daylight in every part of the building, and a natural ventilation system will prevent the over use of air conditioning and heating.

Outside there will be a landscaped area for staff to relax and an existing area used by locals for dog walking will be formalised.

Currently the building society has 11 full-time and three part-time staff, but this could increase by two to six additional full time employees when the new building opens. The company assured planners that parking would not be an issue as it encourages staff only to drive when it is absolutely necessary.

Bradford council's landscape architect said: "This is a most interesting and refreshingly novel design, and when built it should contribute greatly to the architectural quality of the locality.

"The use of stone in both the building and boundary walls and the traditional detailing should help integrate the building with its surroundings, and I am impressed with the generous provision of open space on both sides."

Silsden Town Council objected to the plans and suggested that the Belton Road and Keighley Road junction could not cope with the extra traffic, here would be problems with the drainage and that an aluminium roof in the design was inappropriate.

Councillor Chris Atkinson said: "I think the building is marvellous but I don't like the aluminium. I think the best thing Keighley planners can do is to set fire to the planning brief because they don't stick to it. It's totally unacceptable, and with all the other problems with roofing there it's double standards."

But, Paul Ellis, chief executive of the building society, and architect Mark Hodson explained that the aluminium section of roofing was necessary to fulfil the design concept, as untreated aluminium was 100 per cent recyclable.

"It is ideal. We are wanting to produce as part of our head office complex a building which is completely provided by recycled materials," said Mr Hodson.

"It will be a benchmark, a showcase of what can be done, and certainly fits with the ideals of the Ecology Building Society. This will become an exemplar building and in time the aluminium will dim down."

It was agreed that the aluminium would be exposed to the air before building work begins to speed up this process. Planning members considered it appropriate to allow a minor deviation to the planning brief in this special case and accept the section of aluminium roofing.

Councillor Eric Dawson said: "It is all progress and I think we should encourage progress, I don't want a millennium dome but am in support of this!"

Five members voted in favour of the application and one against. Work is scheduled to start in August and it is anticipated that the building will be finished by mid-2003.