Plans to build eight new houses on the outskirts of Silsden have been approved by councillors.

The proposals for Crossfield at 132 Skipton Road had faced opposition with a petition signed by 89 people, along with ten individual letters of objection.

But members of Keighley Area Planning Panel supported a recommendation by planning officers to approve the application to construct four pairs of two-storey semi-detached houses on the site.

The proposals specified that the existing house on the site would be retained, though a rear extension would be demolished.

Planning officer Martyn Burke said the new homes would be far enough away from houses in Hawkcliffe View, on the other side of Skipton Road, to minimise loss of privacy.

He said the application incorporated traffic-calming measures for Skipton Road and a new pavement running along the site’s boundary with the road.

Phillip Heyworth, of Hawkcliffe View, who was among the objectors, said the new homes would overlook his house and those of his neighbours and increase traffic congestion.

Jo Steel, agent for the applicant, said: “Time and thought has gone into addressing all relevant concerns. Neither of the neighbours adjoining the site has objected.”

  • Read the full story in Friday's T&A