The Bradford District Planning Panel met to discuss several planning applications and miscellaneous items related to enforcement and appeals. The panel approved applications for 25 Alexandra Road, 58 Rooley Avenue, and Bolton Villas Cricket Club, while refusing applications for the former Bingley Police Station and 7 Shaftesbury Avenue. The panel also noted the requests for enforcement/prosecution action and decisions made by the Secretary of State.

Bingley Police Station

The panel refused application 24/04691/FUL for the former site of Bingley Police Station on Bradford Road, Bingley.

The reasons for refusal were:

• The proposal would result in the use of an unsafe road junction, prejudicing the safe and free flow of traffic. This contravenes Policy DS4 of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
• Insufficient on-site parking arrangements would lead to the loss of well-used on-street parking on Bradford Road/Main Street, the B6265, contrary to Policy TR2 of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

7 Shaftesbury Avenue

The panel refused application 24/03368/FUL for the construction of a six-bedroom detached dwelling at 7 Shaftesbury Avenue in Bradford.

The reasons for refusal were:

• The proposed access and car parking would encroach significantly into the root protection area of trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). This would risk the trees' health and longevity, harming the area's character and conflicting with Policy EN5 of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document and paragraph 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
• The siting and size of the proposed dwelling, in close proximity to trees protected by a TPO, would not protect the trees' future well-being. Overshadowing, loss of daylight to the garden, and debris falling on parked cars could lead to pressure for their reduction or removal. This conflicts with Policy EN3 of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

25 Alexandra Road

The panel approved application 25/01369/FUL for 25 Alexandra Road, Shipley. This was a proposal for the change of use of the property from a Class C4¹ house in multiple occupation (HMO) to a Class C2² children's care home.

Shipley Town Council recommended refusal, citing concerns about the property's size and configuration, insufficient play space, lack of privacy due to the density of housing, and potential over-concentration of accommodation for vulnerable children. They also agreed with West Yorkshire Police's concerns about security.

There were 67 representations received, with 37 in support and 27 objecting. A ward councillor also objected.

Objections included:

• Inappropriateness of a children's home in a residential street.
• Negative impact on the character of local streets due to the loss of family housing.
• Potential for anti-social behaviour and safeguarding concerns.
• Unsuitability of the property for children.
• Insufficient parking.

Supporters argued that:

• There is a need for children's homes locally.
• Alexandra Road is an ideal location due to its proximity to amenities, schools, and public transport.
• Children's care homes are tightly regulated and provide a nurturing environment.

The Children's Social Care Commissioning Team had no objection.

The report stated:

It is evident that this proposal has sparked an emotive response however there are no planning grounds on which to base a refusal. The proposal is supported by the Council's Children's Services Team in recognition of the fact that there is a demand for small scale developments such as these in areas of established family housing with a good standard of accommodation and access to local amenities to ensure that children benefit from a good quality of life in their informative years.

Conditions of approval included that the development must begin within three years and be carried out in accordance with the approved plans.

58 Rooley Avenue

The panel approved application 25/00309/HOU for 58 Rooley Avenue, Bradford. This was a householder planning application for a two-storey side extension with a garage at ground floor level, and a single-storey rear extension. The applicant is the brother of Councillor Taj Salam.

One comment was received raising concerns about:

• Restricting works to between 8am-5pm Mon-Fri.
• Use of 'Grease Kitchen'.
• Being out of keeping with the wider area.
• Proximity of downstairs bedroom to common boundary.
• Depth of rear extension.
• Disruption during construction.
• Timescale for completion.

The report stated:

The proposed works, whilst extensive, are considered to relate satisfactorily to the character of the existing dwelling and adjacent properties. The impact of the proposal upon the occupants of neighbouring properties has been assessed and it is considered that it will not have a significantly adverse effect upon their residential amenity.

Conditions of approval included that the development must begin within three years, that external materials must match the existing building, and that no further windows or openings can be added to the side elevations or roof planes without express permission.

Bolton Villas Cricket Club

The panel approved application 25/00311/VOC for Bolton Villas Cricket Club, All Alone Road, Bradford. This was a variation of condition 4 of permission 06/06079/FUL, allowing the facility for community use including adults with disabilities, children, and young people.

Wrose Parish Council supported the original plans.

There were 128 comments received, 89 in support, 36 in objection, and 3 neutral.

Supporters argued that it would:

• Maximise use of a community facility.
• Help sustain the cricket club and increase diversity/inclusivity.
• Provide a valuable service for client groups.
• Be good for wider community cohesion.

Objectors raised concerns about:

• Noise from additional uses.
• Loss of privacy.
• Increased traffic on the access track and All Alone Road.
• Insufficient parking.

Highways initially objected due to the substandard nature of All Alone Road and poor visibility. However, they later withdrew their objection and recommended conditions regarding access and parking.

The report stated:

Given the description of the proposed use, which falls into an F2 use, it is highly unlikely that such additional uses of the clubhouse, listed above, would cause any significant loss of residential amenity through noise, loss of privacy, litter, damage to properties etc from these activities would be limited above that experienced by the existing use of the clubhouse by the cricket club.

Conditions of approval included that the development must be carried out in accordance with the approved plans, noise levels must not exceed 50 dB(A), the premises must not be open between midnight and 8am, and the car park must be kept available.

Miscellaneous Items

The panel considered miscellaneous items related to enforcement and decisions made by the Secretary of State.

The panel noted requests for enforcement/prosecution action at the following locations:

• 1 - 2 Elam Wood Road, Riddlesden, Keighley
• 126A Cumberland Road, Bradford
• 144 Toller Lane, Bradford
• 18 Rawson Place, Bradford
• 2 Horton Park Avenue, Bradford
• 30 Lavell Mews, Bradford
• 32 - 34 Woodside Drive, Cottingley, Bingley
• 53 Darley Street, Bradford
• 55 Aberdeen Place, Bradford
• 64 Aberdeen Place, Bradford
• 71 & 75 Kirkgate, Bradford
• 71 Leafield Crescent, Bradford
• Land at Keighley Road, Steeton with Eastburn
• The Westleigh Hotel, 28 - 30 Easby Road, Bradford
• Walton View Hotel, 119 Westgate Hill Street, Tong, Bradford

The panel noted decisions made by the Secretary of State regarding appeals:

Appeal Allowed:

• 65 Bolling Road, Ilkley

Appeals Dismissed:

• 10 Nab Wood Rise, Shipley
• 10 Northcote Road, Bradford
• 141 Park Road, Thackley, Bradford (two appeals against enforcement notices)
• 18 Low Green Terrace, Bradford
• 31 Fairfax Road, Bingley
• 5 Waterside, Bingley
• 71 Leafield Crescent, Bradford
• Bolton Old Hall, Cheltenham Road, Bradford
• Hawkcliffe Farm, 2 - 4 Hebden Road, Haworth, Keighley
• Land Grid Ref 403990 443212 Hollins Bank Lane, Steeton With Eastburn

Appeals Allowed in Part/Part Dismissed:

• 133 Lynfield Drive, Bradford
• Beestone Bungalow, Green Lane, Burley Woodhead, Ilkley
• The Grange, Stoney Ridge Road, Bradford