Families are hoping for a breakthrough after fighting for years to get their luxury estate completed.

Residents at Tenterfields, Apperley Bridge, have suffered since sewage poured out of the beck, running through the development. And they say areas which are supposed to have been landscaped are overgrown with weeds and streets are without lighting.

The homebuyers have taken their case to local government ombudsman Patricia Cook who is due to report her findings soon on complaints about the way Bradford Council has handled the saga.

But today Bradford North Labour MP Terry Rooney, who supports the residents, said he believed they were close to finding a solution.

"I feel for the residents because they are not getting what they paid for. But it isn't the fault of Bradford Council," he added.

The situation has been complicated because the original developer went into administration.

The Council has had protracted negotiations with other developers but frustrated residents say they have had enough.

Now Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood has told residents that officers are working to resolve the details of alternative landscaping to open space areas.

They are also in discussion with British Waterways which would have to give consent for work on its land to provide a flood overflow route to Haigh Beck. He said the Council would be responsible for the maintenance of the beck when the work was completed.

But today, the secretary of Apperley Bridge Development Residents' Association, Michael Greenhill, said: "We are still waiting for something to be done and it has taken us nine years.''

Ward councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Idle, Lib Dem) said: "It is high time this was settled. It has taken a horrendous length of time."

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