A DECADES old legal document could hold the key to preventing a company's expansion plans, according to residents who are opposing the scheme.

Opponents of the warehouse extension plan proposed by Yeadon-based Haztec International are trying to track down a legal agreement which they believe was signed in London 45 years ago, and which they say could stand in the way of the proposal.

The company, which makes light bars and warning systems for vehicles, says the scheme will create jobs and allow it to remain competitive in a post Brexit world.

But neighbours on Victoria Close say, if approved, the application will bring the warehouse closer to their homes - blocking their light and affecting their quality of life.

One of them Margaret Deal said four houses would be directly affected by the planning application.

She said the legal agreement, signed with a previous owner of the site, specified the building should not come any closer than 50 feet to the boundary line with the houses, but there is confusion about where the document is now.

Mrs Deal said the company had already begun cutting down trees and she added: "Since they have cut the trees down I can see directly to the fire door and when the workers come out there they can see directly into my home."

"The trees also deadened any noise but that is not so now. I can hear the tannoy inside my house when the doors and windows are closed, and I can hear the fire door banging," she added.

"For all of us it is going to impact on the amount of natural light that we get into the house," she added. "We are looking at a solid wall being brought closer to us."

She stressed: "It has affected all of us.We are all very upset by it."

A spokesman for Haztec said: "The extension as planned is only six metres and would slope down from the current building height and would still be a sufficient distance away so as not to block any light to residents.

"There would be no windows and no access other than a legally required emergency exit as there currently is so could not affect residents privacy in any way at all.

He added: "The residents have repeatedly requested us to cut the trees down which they say were blocking their light. In fact they thanked the tree fellers and asked them to cut down two remaining trees."

"Our factory does not produce any extreme noise levels whatsoever and certainly none that could be heard by residents before or after tree felling. In general no louder than anyone talking.

"We have no idea whatsoever about such a legal agreement. The building would still be a good distance from residents boundary line."

He said the company would be prepared to plant more trees or bushes if the residents wanted, and would also be happy to clad the building rear wall green.

He added: "We require this extension to enable us to expand our production which is 80 per cent export and would create several new jobs.

"Following many component increases due to Brexit we need to be able to stock larger quantities of components to help in reducing our costs to try and remain competitive in our worldwide market."

Otley and Yeadon councillor Colin Campbell said: "Like the residents I am concerned that the proposal will have a detrimental effect on residents and will be working with officers to try to ensure that an appropriate outcome can be reached."