More than 20 objections have been made to plans to demolish three Ilkley homes and build 13 new houses.

Ward councillor, Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) has also formally objected to the plans by Steve Horne, of Wyden Developments Ltd, to build new homes on the site of two houses on Parish Ghyll Drive and another on Parish Ghyll Lane.

Coun Smith, who has asked for the planning application to go before Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel, said the houses would be a “gross over-development” of the extremely sloping site.

He also had concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety, as the site is near to a nursery, as well as worries about possible disruption to the natural water tables.

Ilkley Parish Council’s Plans Committee has told Bradford Council it is unable to make an informed decision on its recommendation to the planning authority, as drainage details about the site have not been confirmed and reports from Yorkshire Water are needed.

Residents’ objections and concerns ranged from drainage and impact on the landscape to loss of privacy, overshadowing of nearby homes and adverse effect on wildlife.

Bradford Council’s education department has asked for a £47,000 contribution from the developer for schools places if councillors approve the scheme.