People power has triumphed at a Little Horton pensioners' complex where residents feared a new housing scheme would block access to their homes by emergency vehicles.

A developer is now going back to the drawing board with the plans after the firm's boss was confronted by local people.

Elderly people living in council flats at Otterburn Close were horrified to learn that the access road alongside their block would be scrapped under plans for a new housing scheme next door.

They were not opposed to the new homes, but feared their safety was at risk with ambulances and fire engines no longer able to park outside the side entrance to their flats. Instead rescue crews will have to leave their vehicles 70 to 80 yards away and up steps, in Park Lane.

They have since lobbied for action from Bradford Council, which sold the site for £1.3 million to developers Brunel Housing and granted planning permission for 21 new homes.

After the campaign was highlighted in the Telegraph & Argus, Councillor Ian Greenwood arranged a site meeting so local people could put their concerns directly to the boss of Brunel Housing.

"I arranged a site visit with Jeremy Burgess, the chief executive of Brunel Housing," said Coun Greenwood, the council leader and Little Horton representative.

"I wanted local people who are concerned and upset to be able to explain to the person responsible for the development how they felt, and they have now done that.

"I have quite a good relationship with Brunel Housing, they are a good organisation.

"They are now considering whether they can amend their plans. It's a difficult situation - we can't force it upon them because they have got planning permission but they are not an unreasonable organisation."

Jeremy Burgess, chief executive of Brunel Housing, said: "We have asked our architects to work with council planners to see if there's a solution to the residents' concerns, which are primarily about access.

"They are currently working together to come up with a suitable solution."

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