Historic hall could be converted into affordable housing complex

Social landlord InCommunities wants to build 30 two-bedroom flats at Menston Hall on Low Hall Road in Menston, Ilkley – 22 of which would be affordable grant-funded homes.

The hall and an annex – added in the 1960s – have been empty since February last year, having previously been used as a sheltered housing complex mainly for elderly people.

Under the proposals, Menston Hall would be converted into eight units. A second block of 17 flats would involve tearing down the existing dilapidated two storey flat-roofed building attached to the hall.

The plans, which include parking for 31 vehicles, also feature a third block east of the hall, of five residential units plus one unit within the roof area.

Bradford Council's Area Planning Panel for Shipley will be advised to approve the scheme when it meets on Thursday.

But critics claim the proposal constitutes overdevelopment, is out of character with its surroundings and does not provide enough parking.

Other objections include claims that the scheme is "intrusive and overbearing", particularly in relation to nearby bungalows, and that the car park would be a noise intrusion.

Some critics have argued that the development would lead to loss of privacy and that it is too close to a children's play area.

However, a report to be considered by the area planning panel this week said: "This scheme has the potential to secure Government funding through the Kickstart initiative, thereby having the benefit of encouraging economic activity and delivering new affordable homes.

"The proposal would benefit from the removal of a flat roof-annex building and replaced by one that represents a vast improvement in many areas particularly in terms of visual amenity.

"Furthermore the scheme would ensure the upkeep of Menston Hall through active use. These benefits are considered to far outweigh the aspects of this application identified to fall short of policy."

InCommunities intends to secure funding from the Government's Kickstart initiative - which enables developers to press ahead with stalled schemes to encourage economic activity and deliver new homes.

Wharfedale councillor Chris Greaves, director of InCommunities, said that as a ward councillor he was "very much in favour" of the scheme.

"It will give affordable housing for local people which we need," he added. "It will improve the building from an aesthetic point of view, which we need.

"We have this Government money kicking around and it will be unaffordable without the government grant.

"The last thing I want is a fine building decaying and rotting. I want it brought back into use.

"The main building – Menston Hall – is not listed but it easily could be. It will bring that back into use and restore it to its former glory."

The scheme could also help people who have been struggling to get onto the housing ladder in the area.

Coun Greaves said the scheme would provide affordable housing units in an area where housing is "incredibly expensive", particularly for young people.

"There is just no way they can afford to stay in Menston," he added.

"It will be a mixture of rent and shared equity. It means that people will be able to get a foot on the housing ladder because the minimum that you have to buy is a quarter."

One block of five units would be rented out to people aged over 55 years old, if the scheme is approved.