Old Prospect of Bradford pub can be demolished for flats

The old Prospect of Bradford on Bolton Road, which has been empty for two decades, will be flattened to make way for the new residential development.

But the scheme will not include any affordable housing after the developers behind the plans argued providing low-cost housing would make the project “unviable.”

The empty pub has been subject to several planning proposals over recent years, many of which would see the existing building converted.

Some plans were refused while others never got past the planning stages.

Last year Horsforth-based The Funding Globe Ltd submitted an application to demolish the building and replace it with a development of one, two, and three-bed flats.

An artist's impression of the planned development (Image: Applicant)

Those plans have this week been approved by planning officers.

Five people had objected to the application, with some arguing the development would bring too much traffic to Bolton Road, and others saying the pub should be converted, not demolished.

But highways officers said the 37 parking spaces, including an undercroft parking area, were acceptable for a development of this size – on a main road with public transport links.

The development will include communal garden areas and landscape officers said: “The landscaping proposals include for the provision of communal gardens, private terraces, and street-level planting to engage with all the residents and the public.

"The communal roof terraces on the third and fourth floors will provide spaces for residents to sit, walk and engage with other residents.”

Stonework at the Prospect of Bradford (Image: newsquest)

For developments of this size, the council usually requires applicants to include an amount of affordable housing.

However, a letter written to the council by the applicants said they would not be able to afford the development if affordable housing was provided.

It said: “Current factors affecting the project’s viability is the cost of borrowing, high interest rates, the cost of construction - labour and materials, and the relatively slow and low value of the local sales housing market.

A lamp on the old Prospect Hotel (Image: newsquest)

“In light of the above, we confirm that the project’s finances have been assessed, and any request to contribute to, or provide affordable housing on site, would render the development unviable, and prevent it being constructed.”

Planners accepted this and approved the development.

They said : “The proposal provides a residential development on an unallocated site. The scheme is acceptable and present no concerns with regard to residential or visual amenity and highway safety.”