police have helped defer a decision on a controversial Riddlesden housing development.

Security concerns about phase one of the Swine Lane site, earmarked for 138 homes, compelled police to object to the development.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We expressed our serious concern about security and crime prevention on the estate, in particular the location of footpaths at the rear of properties towards the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

"We are concerned about the standard of doors and windows. We are looking at 'designing out crime issues' and making sure residents get the best standard of doors and windows."

Other questions raised about the site, which planning officers were unable to answer, related to whether more houses could be built on a north-south line, if the number of houses built in natural stone could be increased and alternatives to two-three metre retaining walls.

At Thursday's planning meeting, Cllr Martin Leathley described the scheme as "worthless" and raising "more questions than it answered".

This is not the first time the development has met strong objections. Residents and environmental groups have fought Taywood's plans to build 400 homes on the site since they were announced in 1990.

Outline planning permission was finally granted in July, 1998, but since then various aspects of preliminary building work -- such as Yorkshire Water laying surface water drainage pipes -- have angered local people.

Barratt took over phase one of the development last year.

Penny Ward, of the Aire Valley Conservation Society, has fought the development from day one. On this latest chapter she says: "I've not heard of many incidents where the police objected.

"I think the councillors are taking great care with the scrutiny of the design of the site which is encouraging."