Planning experts today dramatically dropped part of the argument against a proposed new housing estate.

Bradford Council is opposing the controversial scheme to build 400 homes on fields at Warren Lane between Gilstead and Eldwick.

Objectors claim that the road network and sewerage system would not be able to cope with so many extra houses.

But Anthony Crean, presenting the Council's case at a three- day planning inquiry being held at Shipley Town Hall, revealed today that the Council was no longer pursuing its argument over possible pollution of local water courses.

"For the Council's part we have not received advice that there is no longer a case to be advanced on that issue and we propose to abandon it," he said.

The change of tack comes after behind-the-scenes discussions which followed the threat of High Court action to force Yorkshire Water to give evidence at the hearing.

Paul Rosser, the Government appointed inspector presiding over the inquiry, had threatened to apply to the High Court for a subpoena forcing Yorkshire Water to attend after the company had originally said it had no extra evidence to give.

Yorkshire Water representatives held lengthy talks in private with drainage experts from both sides before the Council announced its decision to drop part of its case.

Other protesters, including Shipley MP Chris Leslie; David Briggs, chairman of the Gilstead Village Society; Penny Ward, secretary of the Aire Valley Conservation Society; Susan Stead, of Bradford Urban Wildlife Group, and Bingley resident Graham Carey, still maintain their argument that the proposed housing estate would cause extra water pollution in the area.

They were due to give evidence this afternoon on what was expected to be the final day of the inquiry.

Yesterday, a planning expert claimed the road network in the two villages was inadequate for such a large scheme.

Peter Bridgman, Bradford Council's area planning officer for Shipley, argued that the Council had always believed that the local highway network and sewerage system were substandard but had envisaged that these problems would have been largely overcome by the mid to late 19990s with the completion of the Bingley relief road.

"The Bingley relief road has not been built, nor does it seem likely that it will be completed within the near future," he said.

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