CONTROVERSIAL plans for 35 new homes in Eastburn will be put before Bradford Council on Thursday.

A planning application for the houses on a site between Croft House and Green Lane has received objections from residents, the village school and an MP.

They claim the proposed development will put massive strain on the existing infrastructure, and cause flooding and sewage problems.

Objectors fear an access road from Main Road, included in the outline plans, could jeopardise road safety.

Local MP John Grogan recently stood with villagers to oppose the plan, after receiving many representations from local people.

The present outline plan is due to be discussed by council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee, with a recommendation from planning officers that it be approved.

It follows a previous outline application for the site that was granted permission in 2015 but has now expired.

The 2015 plan proposed access point across Green Lane, connecting with a nearby residential development that is currently under construction.

In the new application, access would be from Main Road, sharing the access with neighbouring Croft House nursing home.

Council officers have recommended approval of the application after taking into account all material planning considerations.

They have recommended several conditions, covering issues including landscaping, layout, foul and surface water drainage, and potential land contamination.

Commenting on the application, Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council expressed concern that buildings would obscure sight lines for traffic approaching the proposed junction along Main Road from Cross Hills.

The council was keen that no vehicle access would be granted via Green Lane.

The council welcomed comments in the outline application on the value of green space, and hoped the subsequent full application would include affordable housing on the site.

Several Eastburn residents have also submitted objections to the plan.

One cited intrusion of privacy because new two-storey buildings would directly face their dormer window, and another neighbour feared flooding.

Residents said the site was the last piece of green land in Eastburn and home to a variety of wildlife, with one resident saying the removal of a large tree on the site would be a “travesty”.

Yorkshire Water said there were already issues with surface water running from the neighbouring Miller Homes development, and the addition of the new housing development would add to the problem without proper measures.

Eastburn Junior & Infant School has previously said the scheme would scupper hopes of an improved access to the school and any future expansion plans.

School head Jo Waterhouse said: “Vehicular and pedestrian access to the school is currently severely limited. The proposed development occupies the only land which could be used to improve that access.

“Furthermore, the school would like to be able to meet the potential increase in demand for places already created by several housing developments in the area. But we believe this proposal will limit any potential for school expansion at the same time as increasing demand still further.”

Among residents opposing the scheme is Andy Ritchie, whose Green Close home backs onto the site.