Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Denholme LDF

In the 13th of a series of 27 articles analysing the key study into the availability of land in Bradford, reporter Marc Meneaud looks in depth at the possibilities for housing sites in Denholme.

More than 450 homes could be built in Denholme on former industrial land, on green fields and in the green belt under draft plans to shape future house-building over the next two decades.

But Bradford and Denholme town councillors have warned plans for better medical provision, schools and transport infrastructure need to be put in place to allow the village to cope with the possible increase in population size.

Hundreds of potential housing sites across the district have been identified by Bradford Council planners as the first stage in designating land for development by 2028 under the Local Development Framework (LDF).

In Denholme, 450 homes could be built, mainly on brownfield land which has been vacated by manufacturers - sparking concerns about whether the village's infrastructure will be able to cope.

Town mayor Ann Jay said villagers needed to be "sensible" in recognising that some development was inevitable.

But she said: "We do have concerns about medical provision, education and the general infrastructure of the village.

"If (planners) do not think very carefully about this, we are in danger of having more and more people but not the facilities they need."

Development in Denholme focuses on brownfield areas which have already been granted planning permission for house-building, according to the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

They include the former Whittaker and Company and the now-demolished Denholme Velvets factories in Halifax Road, Denholme Gate.

The two areas could yield a total of 142 homes, with more than 80 extra homes on the former Pennine Fibres manufacturing site in Main Road.

Planning permission for 73 homes at the former CR Taylor timber yard was also granted in July, although the site is not one identified in the SHLAA.

Land at Seven Acres, next to a new housing estate, could also accommodate 17 homes.

Seven areas of greenfield land have been identified for possible development.

They include land in Old Road, Long Causeway, Heatherlands Avenue, Beech Avenue, at its junction with Keighley Road and at Hill Top Farm, which is in the green belt.

One of the most controversial sites is one at Foster View, which is currently a "well-used and tidy community allotment" which is down a narrow lane, also used to access a sailing club at the Doe Park water sports centre, according to the SHLAA document.

Coun Jay said: "The allotments are absolutely beautiful and there has been a great deal of hard work done there.

There is also the sailing club and Doe Park, which has just been given permission to expand."

Bradford councillor Mike Ellis (Con, Bingley Rural) said: "This sort of development needs to be avoided. We have to protect our natural environment.

"It is important that we build on the brownfield sites before the greenfield sites."

He also raised concerns over transport and medical provision.

A public consultation over improvements to primary care services for Denholme and Thornton residents is currently under way.

Councillor Ellis said: "The medical facilities in Denholme are non-existent, so that needs addressing.

"The other problem is sus-tainability as far as transport is concerned.

"The bus service is absolutely appalling.

"If we are going to build on these brownfield sites, we need the other amenities to make the community sustainable."

THE LONG-TERM LAND STRATEGY

The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) is a technical document which will provide a pool of sites from which to select land to be allocated for housing when preparing the Local Development Framework.

The Framework is a blueprint that will manage development and growth across the district over the next 15 years.

Consultation on it's core strategy document, which sets out a long-term spatial vision for the district until 2028, is continuing. It sets out broad locations for development and policies that will influence the use of land and the type and scale of development permitted, as well as identifying key infrastructure requirements.

The overall Local Development Framework is expected to come into effect in 2013 with consultation over specific land allocations taking place during 2012.

Sites included in the current SHLAA may not make it into the land allocations documents and final framework. In addition further potential sites could be identified as the assessment is updated every year.