A rule that only natural stone should be used in the development of a controversial housing development in Haworth, is set to be changed by planning chiefs.

Keighley's town and country planning sub-committee is recommending that artificial stone is used in the construction of the 25 homes on the steeply sloping land off Victoria Road, near the junction with Hebden Road.

It follows a ruling in 1991, when full planning permission was granted, that the houses should be built in natural stone with blue slate roofs.

Skipton Properties has started work on the terraced housing but wants the condition changing because it is facing higher costs in excavation works.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "The site has a controversial history with local opposition to residential development. However, the site has been allocated for residential purposes since approval of the Haworth Town Map in 1963.

"As a consequence of the steepness of the site, retaining walls over six metres high are required. The developer proposes to omit one dwelling from the scheme on viability and aesthetic grounds.''

The developer considered that artificial stone was essential given the cost of excavation works and necessary retaining walls.

The development is near the steep Brow Top Road, Hebden Road, Victoria Road junction which residents claim is dangerous for vehicles wanting to pull out from either Brow Top Road or Victoria Road. They are campaigning for traffic lights or other road safety measures to be implemented by Bradford council.

Rose Greenwell, of Haworth Combined Residents' Action Group, said: "More development in that area just puts extra pressure on that junction.

"It is even more of an argument for some extra safety measures. It is already a terrible junction to negotiate.''

Bradford Council highway chiefs have recommended that the 30mph speed limit in Cross Roads should be extended to incorporate the junction.

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