A proposed new housing estate would not adversely affect road safety and drainage, a planning inquiry was told.

Bradford Council threw out the controversial scheme for 400 homes to be built on fields at Warren Lane between Eldwick and Gilstead more than a year ago.

But a three-day inquiry opened at Shipley Town Hall yesterday after the landowners appealed against the Council's decision.

Objectors say the new houses would join Eldwick and Gilstead together, add to traffic problems and overburden the area's sewerage and school systems.

But Andrew Williamson, leading the landowners' legal team at the inquiry, said: "This proposal will obviously involve change but you have to ask yourself 'Will that change be an adverse one?' and in my view it won't."

Planning consultant Richard Raper, called as a witness on behalf of the landowners, agreed that there was no evidence that the scheme would have an adverse effect.

"Four hundred houses will have an effect but in my view the effect is not material and is not harmful," he told the opening day of the hearing.

"The appeal site is allocated for housing development and there are no other material considerations which should dictate to the contrary."

Paul Rosser, the inspector appointed by the Government to make a recommendation on whether the plan should be allowed to go ahead, said he would be focusing on three main issues:

Whether the scheme would prejudice highway and pedestrian safety

Whether the sewerage infrastructure could accommodate the proposed development without leading to problems of pollution

lThe relationship of the proposal to the Unitary Development Plan - a planning blueprint in which the Warren Lane is zoned for housing.

Mr Rosser said he would also consider the issues of the loss of open space, coalescence of the villages of Eldwick and Giltead and potential impact on community facilities such as schools.

Already lined up to give formal evidence against the scheme are Shipley's Labour MP Chris Leslie, Gilstead Village Society chairman David Briggs and Aire Valley Conservation Society secretary Penny Ward.

Now the identities of two further protesters who will address the hearing have been revealed as Susan Stead, of Bradford Urban Wildlife Group, and Bingley campaigner Graham Carey.

Mr Rosser also revealed that more than 180 letters of objection had been received as well as two separate petitions containing nearly 300 signatures.

The inquiry continues.

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