Tourism could be dealt a major blow if Ilkley is turned into another “clone town”, according to one councillor.

Bradford Councillor Chris Greaves has warned planners deciding on the future of housing in the district for the next 15 years that tourism is a “vital” part of the local economy.

Tens of thousands of tourists visit Ilkley each year to see attractions such as the world-famous Ilkley Moor and Bettys tea rooms, a bustling shopping centre and attractions near the River Wharfe.

But Coun Greaves (Ind, Wharfedale) fears that could be under threat if development is managed poorly by the Local Development Framework which the Council is consulting on.

He said: “People go to Ilkley because it is what it is, with tourism a vital part of the local economy.

“We really do not want to destroy that by turning it into a clone town with the same shops as everywhere else.”

Coun Greaves is calling for more consultation on the LDF by the Council. The plan, which will manage development across the district, outlines plans for 45,000 houses to be built in the district by 2028.

Under the proposals, at least 1,300 homes will be built in Ilkley, 500 in Burley-in-Wharfedale, 900 in Menston and 400 in Addingham.

Developers may also be allowed to build on greenbelt land at sites to the north and south of Menston, north and east of Burley-in-Wharfedale and to the west and east of Ilkley.

A ten-hectare area, which could include large areas of green-field land has also been earmarked for business use.

In a 360-page document on the LDF, Bradford Council, said the area would be used for “high quality” employment.

However, Coun Greaves said: “In Wharfedale house prices are incredibly high by district standards. What that means is that unless these jobs created are incredibly well paid, people will not be able to live in Wharfedale and work there.

“They will continue to travel to Leeds or Bradford, while people from Leeds or Bradford will travel to work at a new factory near Ilkley.”

Coun Greaves, a former chairman of Metro, the West Yorkshire transport authority, said that would put even more pressure on the road and rail networks.

He said: “There are huge logistical problems. Short of teaching people how to walk on water, I do not see where there can be any more transport infrastructure because we are stuck in a valley.

“If you are travelling from Wharfedale to Bradford, you get stuck at Shipley and, if you are travelling to Leeds, you get stuck at Kirkstall or Headingley.”

He added: “Instead of saying we have to share out the number of houses which have to be built, why not look at how residents going to live and where are they going to work?”

Bradford Council was holding a drop-in session today at Kings Hall, Station Road, Ilkley, from 12pm to 7pm.

Bradford Tory Councillor Adrian Naylor, whose Craven ward includes Addingham, echoed Coun Greaves concerns that there should be a more “serious consultation”.

He said: “We have a 400-page document, the LDF draft policy, written by experts for experts. Having the odd drop-in session may not give the necessary detail.

“If people are being asked for their comments and the Council is serious about listening, there needs to be an adequate amount of consultation.”