The local government Ombudsman has ruled that Bradford council did nothing illegal in approving plans for a basketball and volleyball court in Victoria Park, Keighley.

The town's gala committee complained to the Ombudsman about the decision. The gala is held in the park.

The gala committee did not think it fair that members of the planning sub-committee also sat on the leisure services committee responsible for the park.

They were annoyed that members of the public were not allowed a show-of-hands vote at a neighbourhood forum meeting which discussed the scheme.

But following months of investigation the Ombudsman has said the council kept to the letter of the law. The ball park received planning permission last December. Keighley planning sub-committee was told there was no planning policy or technical reason for objecting.

Gala chairman Brian Hudson, who is also chairman of the home-rule campaign group Aire-Worth Reform Association, admits he is disappointed. "It is unfortunate but we tried," he says.

Cllr John Cope, chairman of the planning sub-committee, says: "I am pleased that the Ombudsman has supported the council in this instance.

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