PLANS for a major foodstore in Silsden have been scrapped after developers were told it could sound the death knell for small shops in the town.

Silsden-based Novo Homes wanted to build the new store on land known as Tunnacliffe's Yard (an abandoned timber yard).

But after being knocked back, Novo has now decided to seek permission for a housing complex for older people, featuring a mixture of flats and houses.

David Wilkinson, acting as agent for Novo, presented its case to Silsden Parish Council's planning committee last Thursday.

'The foodstore received support from everybody apart from the planning office,' he told them.

'A study showed that it would impact badly on the shops in the town centre, so effectively we have abandoned our application.'

Members had to decide whether to give their support to the new housing plan, which would be built on land earmarked for industry adjacent to the Leeds Liverpool canal.

Mr Wilkinson added that the area around the site had altered and was now predominately houses.

'I think we'll get tremendous support from the people who live around there. I can't see anyone objecting,' he continued.

'This is an exceptional site and I think it's in the interests of Silsden that you support this. If you take a poll of people in Silsden they would back us to the hilt.

'If we can't get it through the planning system then we'll appeal and I think we'll win.'

The housing development includes 62 homes, with some being managed by a housing association and others being sold.

It also includes a bowling green or community facilities and associated car parking.

However, parish councillors felt it could open the floodgates for further housing sites to be built on industrial land, with Silsden already faced with the prospect of hundreds of new homes on green belt land.

'I personally am against any housing on that site,' said Coun Paul Bromley. 'We need jobs more than houses and I still believe that this site should be used for job creation in this village.

'I make no secret that I don't trust Bradford Met's planning department, and I feel that if we let this through there will be no industrial land left as it will all be taken up for housing.'

Coun Lawrence Walton suggested that Novo agree to a guarantee that the scheme be built exactly as planned with no deviations, and that Bradford Council should then be asked to remove 62 homes threatened in the green belt.

And Coun Keith Norris added: 'I can't see how Bradford would budge over this. It may be of benefit to the people of Silsden, but I can't see how we're going to shift from industrial land.'

Support for the application came from Coun Ian Smith-Reddiough who said he would prefer to see homes rather than a factory.

'I personally wouldn't want to see any factory going up there. There aren't that many houses for old people in Silsden for the size of the population,' he said.

Equal votes were given for and against the planning application, but the casting vote of the chairman, Coun Chris Atkinson, turned it down. However, it was decided to bring the matter before a meeting of all parish councillors before making a final decision.

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