Retirement flats planned for Ian Clough Hall site in Baildon

Last year, McCarthy Stone announced it had purchased the Ian Clough Hall site in Baildon from Bradford Council.

And now a planning application to build 47 retirement apartments on the site has been submitted by the retirement giant.

The hall was demolished last year after Bradford Council relocated the town’s library to a former shop unit on Northgate.

The current site in the centre of Baildon (Image: T&A)

The initial plan was for a new permanent library to be opened in the former Baildon Club – next to the Ian Clough site.

However, due to the council’s dire financial situation, that project has been paused while the authority reviews its future capital projects.

When the closure of Ian Clough Hall was announced, Bradford Council said the 50-year-old building was becoming increasingly expensive to run, and was no longer used as much as it was in its heyday.

McCarthy Stone’s application says its development would provide older people in Baildon the opportunity to downsize – freeing up family homes in the area.

Ian Clough Hall before it was demolished (Image: T&A)

There will be a 26-space car park to the rear of the apartments for residents. A 53-space public car park will be retained at the front of the site.

The planning application says: “The proposal is located in a very accessible and sustainable location and with good links to other essential services located therein and local amenities, which all benefit residents in maintaining an independent lifestyle.

“This specialised form of housing generates extremely low levels of traffic; and the convenience of the location close to public transport opportunities and the town centre retail units would further reduce the need for car use, not least because purchasers of such housing accommodation generally no longer need or wish to have the ‘burden’ of car ownership.

The demolition of the Ian Clough Hall site (Image: T&A)

“Specialist housing helps to free up much needed and under-occupied family homes in the local area, thereby making better use of the existing housing stock. An average scheme of 45 apartments frees up housing worth nearly £10 million.

“Externally, the proposals provide 26 No parking spaces for residents and visitors (including two accessible spaces) and provision is made for charging points for up to 8 mobility scooters.

“The proposed development is within very easy access on foot of the local bus routes and is close to existing local amenities and shopping in the town centre.”

A decision on the application is expected in June.