HALF the battle to stop two supermarkets being built in Silsden was won yesterday (Thursday).

When members of Keighley's area planning panel met, they heard that an application to construct a store on land at Cobbydale Mills, on Keighley Road, had been withdrawn.

But objectors will have to wait until next month for a decision on another application at nearby Sykes Lane by Silsden-based developers Novo Homes.

A decision was deferred after the meeting was told Silsden Parish Council had not been consulted on the scheme.

Chairman John Cope told the meeting: "It's been brought to my attention that the parish council has not had a chance to comment on this item and I think we have no alternative but to defer this until the next meeting."

Both applications had been recommended for refusal after a survey revealed the supermarkets could have a significant impact on the future of small shops in Silsden.

Traders agree that it could mean the end of some stores.

Wendy Hill, who, with her husband Paul, has run Hill's Bakery in Kirkgate for 30 years, said: "When we started in Silsden, Kirkgate was full of shops of all kinds.

"It's a struggle now - we are working harder to make ends meet than we have ever done because of the business rates and competition from supermarkets."

And Mark Wilkinson who runs the Fruit Hamper in Kirkgate said: "A supermarket would kill Silsden - it would ruin the smaller shops."

Novo Homes has said that if its supermarket plan was thrown out it would seek permission for a housing complex for older people on the Sykes Lane site.

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