Villagers are being robbed of the chance to vote on controversial plans for a massive waste tip, a councillor has claimed.

Bradford Council planners have delayed making a decision on the scheme to turn Buck Park Quarry in Whalley Lane, Denholme, into a landfill site so that a parish poll can be held.

The poll will be on Thursday, between 4pm and 9pm, with the Mechanics Institute and Keelham First School being used as polling stations and the count taking place at the Institute building.

But Councillor Simon Cooke (Con, Bingley Rural) said the Council seemed to have organised it so as to minimise the turnout.

He says:

l At least 15 workers at Denholme will lose their right to vote because of the limited time when the polling stations are open.

l Having no postal votes is unfair for those who are away on May 27 or too ill or disabled to attend in person.

l Not sending out polling cards is confusing.

"The Council's attitude to this referendum is appalling. They seem to treat it as a huge inconvenience rather than an exciting and challenging way of running a public consultation," he said.

But the Council says it has organised the referendum according to all the relevant rules.

A spokesman said: "The conduct of parish polls is governed by regulations and the Council has no discretion to change them. As there is no provision in the rules for issuing poll cards or using postal votes, we have been unable to provide them."

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