CONCERNED residents of a quiet housing estate fear they may have to contend with huge horse boxes if a new access road is built to nearby stables.

People living in Ellar Gardens, Menston, are fighting plans by Acrecliffe Equestrian Centre, Ellar Ghyll, to build the road leading from the estate's own access road.

They fear heavy vehicles will drive through the estate where many children play on the streets.

The centre holds a number of gymkhanas and showjumping competitions every year, and Ellar Gardens residents claim some visitors will park their horseboxes on the estate while they are competing.

One resident said: "Obviously we are hoping that the planning people will reject it on the grounds that there are children playing. It's not the kind of thing you want in a residential development, and if someone took ill on this estate, the emergency vehicles would not be able to get up."

Stables owner Ann Everall said the new road would be an alternative route to the steep existing access road.

She said: "I don't see horse boxes parking on the road. We don't have the number of shows we used to.

"Most of the business is people having lessons, and they come by car."

The plan will come before Bradford Council's Shipley Planning Panel.

l Ellar Gardens residents claim inconsiderate motorists are still taking risks to get to a nearby rubbish tip.

Wharfedale Newspapers revealed earlier this month how some drivers were putting lives at risk by cutting across roads and even pedestrian islands to get to Ellar Ghyll tip.

Despite reassurances that Ilkley Police would step up patrols in the area, one resident said motorists are still taking risks.

He said one driver even swore at him in front of his own children after being warned of the dangers.