Bradford & District | Archive | 2003 | September | 23
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Tuesday 23rd Sep 2003.
A campaign has started by residents to stop plans for a three-storey block of flats in the garden of an empty house.
People living in Hollingwood Lane and Mickledore Ridge, Horton Bank, are up-in-arms and a local councillor is supporting them.
Erik Upite, who owns a house in Hollingwood Lane, has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council.
The plans are for a three-storey block comprising four flats in the garden of the empty house, including garages with space for eight cars.
But more than 20 residents have voiced their concerns to Bradford Council.
Fred Robertshaw, who lives opposite the site, said the development would be nothing like nearby housing. "It's out of keeping with the neighbourhood," he claimed.
Residents are also worried about access to the flats - the driveway will open on to single carriageway Mickledore Ridge. And they say Hollingwood Lane itself gets very congested.
Raymond and Laurena Leigh live next to the site. "I think it will be a blot on the landscape," said Mr Leigh. "It destroys the ambience of the place."
The residents are being supported by ward councillor Michael Walls (Con, Queensbury).
"I think its impact on the neighbourhood is unreasonable and it will be overbearing. It is also near a very busy road. We have problems there and it's only going to make things worse."
Labour MP for Bradford South Gerry Sutcliffe is also concerned about the highways issue.
Mr Upite, who has submitted the application, said the flats would not be imposing as they would be the same height as existing buildings.
"It's no bigger than a pair of semis," he said. There were two car-parking spots for each dwelling and he thought access was adequate.
"There is ample room for the access road. It will just tidy the area up - at the moment the garden is going to ruin because nobody wants to look after it," he added.
The closing date for objections to the plans has passed and it is now being decided whether the application will be determined by planning officers or Bradford Area Planning Panel.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008