After several years and numerous attempts, a developer has finally been granted permission to build houses on a canal side garden centre site in the outskirts of Saltaire. The former Hirst Wood Nursery site, which closed over 14 years ago, has remained empty and overgrown, prompting the Hartley Property Group to seek approval for development.
Previous applications by the developer to build on the green belt site had been rejected by Bradford Council and a Government planning inspector. However, at a recent planning meeting, the application for three homes on the site was approved. Councillors argued that the development was likely the best use for the sensitive location, considering the site’s long-standing vacancy and deterioration.
Despite objections from the Council’s Highways team and conservation officers, who raised concerns about increased traffic and the site’s proximity to a Conservation Area and the Saltaire World Heritage Site, planning officers recommended the development be approved. They noted that the three terraced homes would occupy a similar footprint to the former garden centre buildings and that the site still had permission for a garden centre to operate.
During the meeting, planning officer Mark Hutchinson highlighted that the development would generate minimal additional traffic, as the site’s access point, the Hirst Wood swing bridge, already serves 18 homes. He also emphasized that the site’s current state of disrepair warranted some form of development, and residential use would likely cause less disruption than other potential uses.
Panel members deliberated on the proposal, with some acknowledging the site’s sensitive location but ultimately agreeing that the development was a suitable solution for the vacant land. Despite objections from Shipley Town Council and local residents, the majority of the committee voted to approve the plans, citing the need for revitalization of the neglected site.
In conclusion, the approval of the housing development on the former Hirst Wood Nursery site marks a significant milestone for the developer and the local community. The decision to move forward with the project reflects a balance between the need for development and the preservation of the area’s heritage and environmental considerations. As construction progresses, the site will undergo a transformation from an abandoned garden centre to a residential enclave, breathing new life into the once-forgotten landscape.