Bingley shoppers have been dealt a fresh blow after attempts fell through to provide alternative arrangements while Myrtle Walk precinct is refurbished.

Originally, Bradford Council officers had insisted that developers Donaldsons provide a bus service as part of the outline planning permission granted earlier this year.

Given the large scale £11 million transformation of the 1970s precinct, which houses Safeway, it was recognised that Bingley could be left without a supermarket for at least 18 months.

But the planning agreement has been ditched after it was agreed such a condition was unrealistic. A senior Bradford planning officer said: "It was a nice idea but it was unlawful. We can't enforce it."

Eileen Sinclair, chairman of the Shipley Area Planning Sub-Committee, said: "It's a disappointment but I honestly can't see an alternative. We are in a cleft stick situation. I am very worried about the effect on shopping in Bingley for the elderly.

"And as the deputy chairman of the Elderly Persons' Sub-Committee I shall be seeing what arrangements can be made.

"I am concerned particularly about elderly residents, such as those at Myrtle Court, who have home care assistants. They will certainly not have time to shop for them elsewhere.

"I'm worried about the blind and those who can't walk and do not have families to help. I would hope that the refurbishment certainly does not take longer than two years and hopefully much less - 18 months, though even that is a long time."

Shipley MP Chris Leslie said: "I'm not massively perturbed about it. The main priority has to be making it sustainable for a developer to put in new facilities.

"However, I would encourage any applications for alternative things over the interim period."

No-one for Donaldsons was available to comment but managing director Richard Young has said the time Safeway will remain closed will be kept to a minimum.

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