AN ILKLEY councillor has expressed concerns to Bradford Council's chief executive about what he claims is a "profoundly illogical" decision to grant planning permission for a house in Ben Rhydding.

The council's Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel last week approved proposals for a two-bedroom house in a garden at 52 Wheatley Lane, close to Ben Rhydding Station.

Vehicle access is via the station approach, and Cllr Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) says cars visiting the site will have to reverse onto this busy approach road.

Now he has contacted Bradford Council chief executive, Kersten England, regarding the decision.

Cllr Smith said: "The house is adjacent to a public right of way, and I recall approvals of extensions over 200 metres away had not been approved due to the path's close proximity to the proposed extension, but in this instance it is acceptable when foot traffic to the station has increased.

"Being in a conservation area, the scheme was recommended for approval by the conservation officer when we have an unsympathetic flat-roofed part of the proposal when this could easily have been a pitched roof."

Cllr Smith said reference was made to the scheme being permitted development, which he claims was an error, and he claims a council letter stating this should not have been issued.