Secretary of State John Prescott will have the final say on controversial plans for a massive soft drinks distribution centre.

A planning chief said today the decision would have to be taken by the Secretary of State for Transport and Environment - because a tiny slice of the site near the Drighlington bypass was in the Green Belt.

Bradford Council would send Mr Prescott its recommendations and the plan would be rubber stamped - or brought in for a public inquiry.

Deputy chairman of the Council's transportation, planning and design committee Councillor Jack Womersley said although the site off Cross Lane, Westgate Hill, was designated for employment in the newly adopted Unitary Development Plan, a small piece near the bypass was still Green Belt.

He said: "We are being open and above board about this and it is being referred to the Secretary of State."

The news comes as residents celebrated an unexpected reprieve when the committee deferred its decision.

Representatives from Princes Soft Drinks as well as protesters attended the meeting expecting it to be dealt with.

But chairman Councillor Latif Darr said it was felt that there should be another site visit and a meeting would be called to consider it in the future.

Bradford area planning committee - which had already had a site visit - had recommended last night's committee to give the scheme the thumbs up.

The soft drinks distribution centre would be located on a new business park, and both developments would be expected to bring 850 new jobs.

The residents fear noise, nuisance and traffic from the distribution centre which has been described like "Emley Moor mast" by one councillor.

The firm has said that to locate the centre on any other part of the site would not be viable and says high quality materials would be used and the building constructed to minimise any nuisance to families.

Ray Crorken said protesters were pleased by the deferment. "We feel the traffic calculations in this area are wrong and will continue lobbying. I am pleased it will go to the Secretary of State and we will be making our representations."

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