Plans for 289 homes at former HMRC site in Shipley approved

An application by Artisan Real Estate for the huge development at the Riverside Estate was approved by Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeal Committee today (Thursday).

An artist's impression the scheme to build 289 homes at Riverside Estate in Shipley. (Image: UGC)

Speaking after the meeting, James Bulmer, regional director of Artisan Real Estate, described it as a "hugely exciting development" and said it will "spectacularly open up a large riverside area that has effectively been closed to the public since the 1970s when the HMRC complex was built". 

He added: "Our proposals will bring interest and investment to the area and provide a natural, contemporary extension to the existing Saltaire footprint.

"Our completed development will become a modern interpretation of the neighbouring Saltaire village, bringing much needed sustainable family housing in an accessible, well connected and environmentally responsible setting."

Outlining reasons for recommending approval of the application, Adam Cayton, a senior planner on Bradford Council's Major Developments Team, said: "The site has an existing office space building which is no longer suitable."

He said the development would make a significant contribution to housing need in the district. 

The plans were first revealed at the end of last October and the development includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes and flats.

Mr Cayton said: "It's a high-quality design which is in scale with neighbouring buildings.

He said the development would have a "largely positive impact on the surroundings" and would be "more appropriate than the unattractive former HMRC building".

Mr Cayton said the scheme would have an "acceptable impact on the highway network" and the site would have 52 car parking spaces, including permit parking spaces for residents living in the nearby Jane Hills cottages.

Mr Bulmer told the meeting that Artisan is "ready and motivated to make a prompt start to this development".

He added: "This would be a relief to residents and end the ongoing anti-social behaviour and remove the dangers taking place at the site in recent times."

A resident, representing the Jane Hills residents, spoke at the meeting in support of the scheme, but also to raise concerns about parking.

She said: "This a very positive scheme with a good design and we're broadly in agreement with the scheme but our main concern is parking.

"There are eight cottages at Jane Hills and we already struggle with parking.

"The intention to provide eight (permit) parking spaces is woefully short of what we need."

But with the support of the developer, councillors on the committee agreed to a condition which would increase the number of permit spaces for the Jane Hills residents.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application.