Work could soon start on three controversial blocks of flats in Ilkley more than four years after planning permission was granted.

Despite more than 50 people objected to the flats at Brookfield Croft, Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding, but outline planning permission was granted by Bradford Council in April 2006, followed by full permission for 19 new homes with 31 car parking spaces in July 2007.

The plans involved demolishing a derelict bungalow and contained a raft of other conditions, but in April last year, the land was put up for sale for nearly £1m.

Century Homes, of Bradford, acquired the land and they have now made three applications regarding the planning conditions, including one about traffic measures.

And in a letter to the council Century Homes claim there is an agreement in place which means some traffic works originally proposed for Bolling Road as part of the planning application will now not be needed.

Traffic islands were expected to be put in place before any construction could begin on the 1.9 acre site could begin.

But Sam Warren, of Century Homes’ agents Rone Design, says the islands are no longer needed on Bolling Road.

“I have spoken to John Rowley at the highways department and he has confirmed that as the existing road is only 6.8m wide, traffic islands cannot be provided on this road and he confirmed he would support omission of these,” the letter to the council says.

The letter adds that once a decision is reached on the road traffic issue, a condition regarding the relocation of a bus stop on the road could then be resolved.

The developers have also applied to reach agreement with the council about drainage and tree protection fencing conditions attached to the proposal.

No one from Century Homes was available to comment on the applications or the plans for the site.

The applications could be decided at the next meeting of the Keighley area planning panel.