Bradford council's handling of a planning application for housing at Freedom Mills, East Morton, is still being inv-estigated by the Ombudsman.

A representative, having already taken statements from councillors, officers and angry neighbours, visited the site on Wednesday. A written report will eventually be produced.

Council planning procedures have been tightened following an internal investigation over the controversy.

Keighley planning sub-committee chairman Cllr John Cope is on record as saying that because officers did not check architects' drawings carefully enough or insist that heights and levels were shown plans approved were different from those envisaged. Proposals to demolish the old mill and redevelop the site were not discussed by the sub-committee but were approved on the basis of professional trust of the architects under what are known as 'delegated powers'.

Local residents were left shocked and angry. They remain bitter that the council decided not to insist on demolition of the block because it could have meant a possible £1 million legal bill.

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