Councillors have approved plans by the Bantams for a £1.5 million football development on green belt.

But the club was criticised by Liberal Democrat councillors who said the countryside would be lost to a commercial organisation.

They said the planning application for the site at Apperley Bridge considered by Bradford Area Planning Panel yesterday appeared to be about "who it was, rather than what it was".

The application for changing rooms, a gym, offices and groundsman's flat was passed by four votes to one, with Liberal Democrat Coun Allan Hillary (Bolton) voting against it and Coun Andrew Smith (Con, Queensbury) abstaining.

The panel will recommend that next week's regulatory committee send on the application to Secretary of State for Environment John Prescott, saying the Council wants it to be approved.

Mr Prescott will make the decision because the land at Elm Tree Farm is green belt.

Coun Syd Collard (Lab, Great Horton) said after the panel visited the site that it was an excellent scheme, providing facilities needed by the premier league club.

Chairman Councillor Clive Richardson (Con, Thornton) said he believed it would preserve the green belt.

"If the Department of Environment and Transport think it is such a great departure, they will turn it down."

But Coun Hillary said: "We are talking about a commercial enterprise on green belt land and a 6ft high industrial fence. This open space will be lost for ever."

And ward councillor David Ward (Idle, Lib Dem) said planning legislation required the club to show very special circumstances why it should develop on green belt.

City's managing director, Shaun Harvey, said he was delighted the application had passed the first stage.