A NEW car park can be built next to a primary school, despite concerns over the loss of an area of village green space.

Bradford Councillors this week approved plans for a 35 space car park to be built on a field next to Woodlands Primary School in Oakenshaw.

There had been numerous objections to the plans, with one local Councillor saying the car park would put the convenience of parents and staff above the rights of resiednts of the village to enjoy their only green space.

Over the years the application has proved to be one of the most convoluted to pass through the Council.

An application to build an industrial development next to the M606, known as Interchange 26, was approved by Kirklees Council in 2018.

The application would see on-street parking on Mill Hill Road and Cliffe Lane removed so large vehicles can access the new development.

These roads are used for parking by parents and staff from Woodlands Primary, which is just over the boarder in the Bradford district.

Due to these highway changes a condition of the approval, again made by Kirklees Council, was that the developer provide a new car park for the school.

Originally the plan was to build the car park on a field on the other side of Mill Carr Hill Road. There were a number of objections to these plans, including from the school. They raised concerns that pupils would have to cross the road to get to the school. That application was later scrapped after further concerns about flooding on the proposed site.

A new car park plan was submitted last year. This scheme would see a 35-space car park built on a field to the north of the school.

A new, formal mini-football pitch would be installed on the field, currently used for “informal play.”

This latest application also sparked opposition – 61 people wrote to the Council to object.

Planning officers had recommended the plans be approved, saying the creation of a formal football pitch made up for the loss of a section of the field.

The application went before Bradford Council’s Bradford Area Planning Panel on Wednesday, where members were told of the lengthy journey that led to the current application.

Michael Dickinson, an objector to the plan saying the land is held in a covenant, and can only be used for recreation by the people of the village. He said: “It is meant for recreation for residents of the village of all ages, not for a minority of people to park their cars.”

Councillor Kausar Mukhtar (Lab, Tong) also spoke against the plans, saying: “It is the only green space in the area. The formal football pitch will make field less useable as an informal play space.”

She questioned the need for parents and staff to park yards from the school entrance, saying there were other streets that could be parked on if people were willing to walk a few minutes. She said: “If parents could drop pupils off right at the front door they would – they don’t want to walk five minutes.

“We can’t be putting the convenience to car drivers above the residents and children who use this area. There will be a car park used a few hours a day for 39 weeks at the expense of a playing space.”

Planning officer Amin Ibrar said the covenant issue wasn’t one that could be considered by the planning officer.

He said: “Some parents might be fine with parking a bit further away, but we can’t control that, we can’t control people’s behaviour.

“The school are trying to facilitate parking and a drop off for parents to make it safe and without having to cross a busy road.”

Committee member Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton and Undercliffe) said: “I feel Kirklees Council have put us in a tough position. We’re having to make a decision knowing they have secured an agreement requiring a car park.

“I wouldn’t always support the need for car parks, but on this occasion we have to consider public safety.”

Chair of the Committee Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said: “It is easy to say parents should walk kids to school, but unfortunately you never see that happen. No one seems to want to walk five minutes.

“It is difficult to say no to kids’ safety.”

The application split opinion on the committee, but the plan was narrowly approved.

One condition of the application is that the car park will need to include electric car charging points.