PREPARATORY work is due to start soon on a controversial housing scheme.

Miller Homes won the go-ahead last month to build a 147-house development at Eastburn.

Members of Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee approved the scheme, despite strong opposition from residents who were concerned about increased traffic and environmental damage.

Miller Homes said this week it hoped to start work soon on infrastructure at the site, off Main Street, with sales beginning in the summer.

Howard Mee, the company's land and planning director for the Yorkshire region, said: "Our development has been well considered and will provide a valuable contribution to housing needs whilst enhancing the area.

"We have worked closely with council officers and local residents to ensure Miller Homes delivers a development we can all be proud of and we are pleased councillors recognised this at the planning meeting.

"We look forward to starting on site and carefully managing the works so as to create minimum disruption to local residents and we will ensure they are kept updated on our initial programme of works."

The development will comprise a mixture of homes, from three-bed to five-bedroom detached. Twenty-nine will be affordable homes.

As part of a Section 106 agreement, Miller Homes says it will contribute over £400,000 to the area, including education, highways, transport and open space.

It adds that an improved access will be provided to Eastburn Junior and Infant School, plus additional car parking, and there will be a secondary emergency access to Airedale Hospital.