THE re-development of a huge brownfield site in Bradford can now go ahead after Councillor gave the scheme the green light.

Gleeson Redevelopment was yesterday given permission to build 167 houses on the former Gratten Site off Ingleby Road.

A representative of the company told a planning committee that the homes would all be within the price range of the vast majority of local residents.

The application was discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee yesterday.

Members had raised concerns about building houses near to a factory next to the site - Purdie Dished Ends. And representatives of that company attended to raise concerns that should residents of the new estate complain about the noise coming from the factory, it could lead to the business being shut down.

Grattan’s Otto House headquarters was demolished in 2012, and plans for housing on both this site and the neighbouring Rentokill site date back several years.

When the previous housing plans were approved highways officers included a condition that a yellow box junction be created at the junction of Ingleby Road and Northside Road. This condition has been carried over to the latest application.

Planning officer Malcolm Joy told members the development would include screening at the North side of the site - where the land meets the Purdie Dished Ends factory. This would prevent residents of the new homes from suffering noise nuisance from the factory - members were told.

Chandler Harris, a representative for Purdie, spoke at the committee to raise concerns about housing being built so close to the factory. He said: “We’re worried about complaints of statutory nuisance arising from homes co-existing with the factory. It has been operating for 30 years. We have no objections per se, but appropriate conditions need to be put in place.”

He said the factory was operational into the night, and just one noise complaint by a resident could lead to legal action being taken against the factory. He added: “It could lead to the factory being shut down, with the loss of 29 jobs.”

Councillor Paul Godwin (Lab, Keighley West) said: “It is important this issue is addressed fairly. There have been many organisations put at risk because someone has built housing next to it, and residents have then gone on to complain of noise.”

Mr Joy pointed out that there are other homes near the Purdie factory, and he had not heard of any complaints from those homes. He added: “It would be hard to say to to the redevelopment of this site for that reason when there are other residential properties nearby.”

Brian Reynolds from Gleeson told members that while the company could not afford to include any social housing in the plans, the houses would be affordable to 90 per cent of Bradford residents.

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) replied: “So you’re saying there will be no ‘affordable’ housing, but the houses won’t be that expensive?”

Mr Reynolds replied: “A mortgage with help to buy would be cheaper than rent on a Council House.”

The committee approved the plans, on the condition that a noise attenuation scheme be carried out for the whole site, and that the developer work with Purdie on the concerns that had been discussed.