Decision due on controversial homes

Yorparks Ltd wants to create nine new homes with garages and parking provision on the land which once housed a funfair at Prod Lane in Baildon, near Shipley Glen Cable Tramway, within the Saltaire World Heritage Site buffer zone.

Critics claim the development would not consider the site’s cultural or historical context and would “adversely impact” on the Saltaire World Heritage Site. But members of Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel will be advised to give the scheme planning permission when they meet on Wednesday.

Bradford Council has received letters about the proposed scheme from 21 addresses and four local councillors have requested referral to panel should the application be supported by officers.

Critics claim the scheme would be an “over development” of the site and would have a “harmful” visual impact. There are fears that the development would lead to a loss of parking in Prod Lane due to the proposed new access and the extra traffic from the new homes.

Highway safety concerns have been raised and objectors claim the scheme would have a harmful impact on wildlife on and around the site and that existing householders would suffer a loss of privacy.

However, a report to be considered by the committee says: “The conservation officer concludes that the proposed development would not be visible or would be visible to such a limited degree as to not have any appreciable impact on the World Heritage Site.”

The report adds: “Satisfactory arrangements for parking and servicing are provided and the scheme proposes a number of measures which will safely mitigate the impact of the additional vehicle movements generated by the additional dwellings.”

It is thought the site has stood vacant since September 2005 when the fair was dismantled.