PLANS to build 62 houses on the edge of Silsden have prompted renewed calls for a bypass and replacement school.

The proposals for a new estate off Bolton Road, on the Addingham side of Silsden, have already attracted several objections.

Townspeople claim existing traffic problems in Bolton Road would be worsened by new residents trying to access the road from the estate.

Silsden town Mayor Chris Atkinson has demanded planning permission is not given until a long-awaited bypass is built to take traffic away from the town centre..

He and fellow town councillors last week voted to oppose the plan on several grounds, particularly the lack of infrastructure in Silsden to cope with so many new houses.

Cllr Atkinson and fellow town and district councillor Adrian Naylor have organised a meeting this month where townspeople can put forward their views.

Meanwhile district councillor Andrew Mallinson said the most pressing issue was to build a replacement for the town’s overcrowded Aire View Infant School and Hothfield Junior School.

Developers first revealed plans to build on the Bolton Road site last summer with a drop-in session for residents and a meeting with Silsden Town Council.

Outline plans were submitted to Bradford Council last month for houses on two adjoining sites, one on a field bordered by Bolton Road and the electrical plant machinery company Airedale Factors, and the other on a square of land bounded by Breakmoor Avenue, Townhead Farm and Airedale Factors.

Kathryn Foster, who lives in nearby Town Head, last autumn warned that the development would ruin the character of one of Silsden’s most historic areas.

She said this week that Silsden was “bursting at the seams” with not enough facilities for existing residents and a road system that could not cope with the number of vehicles.

She added: “Bolton Road has a dangerous corner and a very steep slope into Silsden. There’s a 30mph limit but cars are tanking up and down.”

Cllr Atkinson, chairman of Silsden Town Council, said that when Silsden was earmarked for 1,000 new homes in Bradford’s Unitary Development Plan, the understanding was that no major development would be approved until the town had a bypass.

He said: “The bypass isn’t here yet, so this application is premature. It has to be a big ‘no’. There are already too many cars on Bolton Road.”

Cllr Mallinson, who represents Craven ward on Bradford Council, said the crucial issue was to find land in Silsden for a new school before it was all snapped up for housing.

He said: “In two years the schools in Silsden will be beyond capacity. With the amount of housing coming forward, children will be forced to have their education in portable buildings.”

Cllrs Atkinson and Naylor's special councillor's surgery will be in Silsden Town Hall on Monday, January 26, from 6pm to 8pm, and will be attended by an agent for the housing developer.