Controversial plans to build a drive-through restaurant in Ilkley have been axed.

The scheme for the former Ross Bros Ford dealership at the junction of Wheatley Lane and Leeds Road was heavily criticised by nearby residents because of the traffic and noise they said it was likely to attract.

Planners had already sent the scheme, by Leeds-based Revival Developments Ltd, to Bradford Council's highways department and to the Highways Agency, which is responsible for the A65 Leeds Road.

But now, the application, which had still to go before Bradford Council's area planning sub-committee, has been withdrawn and the site is once again up for let.

A spokesman for the Council's planning office confirmed the application had been withdrawn some weeks ago.

"The developers apparently lost interest in the site and withdrew the application," he said.

"There were problems with traffic and both our own highways engineers and the Highways Agency were involved. There was quite a lot of discussion on how to make the junction safe for a drive through."

He added letters informing nearby residents of the application's withdrawal had been sent out.

A spokesman for Revival Developments said: "We've withdrawn the application on the site for the moment. I don't wish to comment any further."

Councillor Alec Henderson, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, which opposed the scheme, welcomed the withdrawal of the application.

"I was never in favour of it. It is a very bad road junction there and this would have been just another road hazard," he said.

Coun Henderson added: "There is a great amount of traffic along the A65 already. People would have been queuing up to get across the road and it would have backed up. It is a very dangerous spot." he added.

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