IT appears campaigners are about to lose their fight against the building of a new apartment block on their doorsteps.

And the likely success of the planning application to construct an apartment block in Middleton, Ilkley, has prompted renewed calls for the production of a design statement for the town.

The application, by Micklegate Developments of Ilkley, concerns the large garden of a detached house called Willow Springs in Gilstead Way and Rupert Road. The developer wants to build eight apartments.

But residents are up in arms about the plan and have sent in 41 individual objections, as well as submitting a 33-signature petition to the Keighley area planning panel - which is meeting today.

In addition, Ilkley Parish Council and Ilkley Civic Society have also objected to the plan, partly on the grounds that it is considered as overdevelopment.

Other objections are on the grounds that the property would be out of keeping with the area, is too high and would affect the quality of life for people living nearby because of its size.

There are also concerns about the level of traffic generated on otherwise quiet roads and the impact of the development on surrounding drains.

Residents argue that the only development which should be allowed on the land is two detached houses. Planning permission for the houses has already been granted.

Despite these objections, Keighley planning officer Colin Waggett has recommended that the application should be granted by members of the planning panel.

In a report to the panel Mr Waggett said: "While it is acknowledged that the development is of greater scale and height than standard detached houses, it is not out of context given the mixed character of the wider area within which it is situated.

"The development fits the site reasonably well with no significant demonstrable harm to neighbouring occupiers. The size of the building is balanced by its pleasing appearance and architectural quality."

Ilkley Civic Society chairman Bob Tilley told the Gazette that his main objection to the plan was the size of the apartment block.

"We are looking for six rather than eight apartments. We still feel it is overdevelopment. We are not unhappy with the quality of the design but we are concerned about squeezing too many in," he said.

Mr Tilley added that the same developer was responsible for another apartment complex in Denton Road, Middleton which he said was of a high-quality design and architectural standard.

He said that it was difficult for planners to impose standards on developers because of the lack of a design statement for the area.

"The planners have a problem. They have nothing to say this is the style we wish to see in Ilkley, and a design statement would give them that," he said.

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