A war of words has broken out between two politicians over the refusal of planning permission for a tip in Denholme.

Ward councillor Simon Cooke has clashed with constituency MP Chris Leslie over the level of Bradford council opposition to the plan.

Both politicians approve of the council's refusal to let Wastewise create a landfill site at Buck Park Quarry.

But the furore centres on their different interpretations of the council's reasons for turning down the application.

The council's planning committee believed the landfill site would have an "adverse effect upon the environment of the area" with particular regard to the "scenic amenity", and would cause unacceptable noise.

Mr Leslie, a Labour MP, recently gave a speech to the House of Commons where he expressed his "firm belief" the landfill site should not go ahead.

He mentioned potential problems such as leachates seeping into drinking water, increased lorry traffic, mess from seagulls and dangerous gases, as well as the effect on the landscape.

Mr Leslie expressed concern that the council's reason for rejection was limited only to visual amenity.

He fears an appeal would succeed because the planning inspector could take only that reason in to account.

Cllr Cooke took issue with some of Mr Leslie's remarks both to the Commons and in a leaflet he sent to Denholme residents soon afterwards. The Tory councillor, a prospective parliamentary candidate, insists the council's reasons for refusal did include environmental damage, pollution and road safety, as well as noise.

Cllr Cooke argues that any planning inspector dealing with an appeal would take other factors into account including villagers' objections.

Cllr Cooke calls on Mr Leslie to persuade government ministers to let local people have a role in influencing waste licence applications.