YOUNG couples in Ilkley may soon have the chance to buy their own homes instead of having to move out to areas where property is cheaper.

A Newcastle-based housing developer has applied to construct 78 homes on the site of the former International Wool Secretariat research and development centre on Valley Drive, Ilkley.

The plan proposes the building of 17 houses, 29 one-bedroom flats and 32 two-bedroom flats.

Campaigners for affordable housing in Ilkley are pressing for Bradford Council to make sure that around 40 per cent of the development is provided as discount housing for less well off couples.

And Bradford Council has confirmed that there is no barrier in principle to prevent a sum of around £400,000 provided by Ilkley College developer Crest Homes (Northern) Ltd being used to subsidise the new homes.

The site, measuring around an acre in size, was last year the subject of a planning application to relocate a bathroom fittings warehouse and factory from Silsden, but it was dropped after fierce local opposition. Since then it has been regarded as a prime site for affordable housing, which would mean an application to the Secretary of State for the Environment to change its designation from light industrial land.

But the Government, which favours housing development on 'brownfield' sites rather than the green belt would be unlikely to block the project. Residents of the area who were against the siting of a factory have expressed a desire to see the site turned into a residential area.

The plans, by Bellway Homes Ltd, were due to go on public display yesterday and are expected to be greeted in principle with almost universal approval by those worried about the exodus of young people from the town, driven out by spiralling house prices.

Although there is no affordable housing provision in the plans at present, planning rules mean that the developers will have to enter into negotiations with council officials to include a percentage of subsidised dwellings on the site.

Audrey Brand, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council's planning committee, told the Gazette: "We would welcome affordable housing in Ilkley because there is a need for it. But I would like to see the plans and hear any objections before I make any further comment."

District and Parish Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said she had been urging Bradford Council to add the money from Crest Homes, which is due to be paid over soon, to other funds available for affordable housing on the site.

This could mean up to 40 per cent of the homes, around 30 in number, being sold as subsidised to less well-off people. She said: "It has to be a positive step and we will see if it is acceptable or not."

After revelations in the Gazette about Bradford Council using the interest from affordable housing money to spend on other budgets caused outrage, it is believed housing chiefs at City Hall would be keen to see the project completed with subsidised housing included.

A Bradford Council spokeswoman said: "Subject to the money becoming available we would have no problem with merging resources to increase the subsidy level to provide affordable housing in the Ilkley area."

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