A KEIGHLEY campaign group has demanded councillors use a major planning strategy when deciding whether to approve new housing developments.

Bandag claims Bradford Council should refer to its £700,000 Core Strategy, which outlines priorities for the district’s future development, when deciding planning applications.

But Keighley councillors respond that the strategy cannot be used because it has not yet been approved by the government.

They point out that key elements of the strategy, an ambitious document that will govern where housing is built over the next 15 years, have not yet been finalised.

Bandag, the Braithwaite And North Dean Action Group, campaigns on issues such as protecting the greenbelt, reopening blocked footpaths, and using brownfield land for new housing developments.

The group recently submitted a Freedom of Information request to Bradford Council, discovering that devising the Core Strategy had already cost £690,123 of public money.

A spokesman said: “It is an excellent document that could regenerate Keighley, so why is it not being used as the first point of reference when making a decision?

“As a consequence many decisions are being made that seriously undermine it and damage the potential for it to ever to come to fruition.”

The strategy, also known as the Local Development Plan, sets out how many houses should be built in each part of Keighley, such as 1,200 homes for Silsden.

Over the past eight there has been extensive public consultation on many aspects of the strategy, and the latest draft is currently with the Planning Inspector for comment. Once finalised, the strategy will influence where housing developers build.

Cllr Adrian Naylor, from Craven ward, said he was as keen as anyone to have a clear Core Strategy, but said Bandag were “a bit presumptive” in their current demands.

He said: “Until the inspector reports we do not know whether or not the core strategy is acceptable or needs modifications.”

Khadim Hussain, who represents Keighley Central ward, said it was vital the council waited for the final version rather than using a “half-cocked” strategy to influence planning decisions.

He said: “The Core Strategy will bring a huge benefit to the district. That’s why it’s taking time and has a cost involved. There will be amendments before is complete.”

Cllr Adrian Farley, from Keighley West ward, said Bradford was well ahead of other local authorities in completing its Core Strategy, and it should be place by the end of the year.