Last Thursday morning a planning panel approved an application by McCarthy Stone to build 47 retirement flats on the former Ian Clough Hall site in the centre of Baildon. The hall, which had included the town library, was demolished last year – with owners Bradford Council selling the site for development.
When the plans were first announced, the Council revealed a proposal to open a new library in the neighbouring Baildon Club building, which the local authority had purchased.
The library was temporarily moved to a former shop unit until work on the new library was completed. But with Bradford Council facing a huge budget gap, the new Baildon Library within the Baildon Club is one of the schemes that has been put on hold.
A report to members of the plans panel revealed that 270 people had objected to the plans, with concerns ranging from claims that the new building would be an over development of the site, that it would block the views of nearby St John’s Church and could devalue other properties.
There were also objections over traffic and a lack of affordable housing within the development.
McCarthy Stone has proposed 26 parking spaces for the site – and some objectors questioned whether this was enough for a 46-apartment development. Members were told that the average age of residents at McCarthy Stone developments was 78, and this meant it was unlikely every apartment would require a parking space. The central location also meant that residents would be less reliant on cars to get around.
A section of the site’s public car park would remain, leaving 56 parking spaces.
Councillor Debbie Davies (Cons, Baildon) said: “The 46 dwellings will go some way to meeting the need for retirement housing, and I’d rather it be built on brownfield than greenfield. I also recognise we have an ageing population in Baildon.”
She pointed out the loss of public parking spaces, and fearing this could put pressure on neighbouring streets, she urged the Council to look into the matter “urgently.”
Councillor Allison Coates (Cons, Baildon) said: “I’m supportive of plans for this site. They are a reputable company, and I believe the consultation process has been a robust one.
“It will be good for the local economy as the new residents are likely to shop local.
“It will free up much needed larger family homes as the older demographic decide to downsize.
“The main issue I have is the displaced parking.”
The meeting was told that the development would take around 12 months to complete.
