A NEW apartment building in Bingley will include a “living roof” to try and boost wildlife in the town.

Plans for 16 apartments on a piece of land at the junction of Mornington Road and Ferncliffe Road have been approved by Bradford Council – after having been first submitted in 2021.

Submitted by Matthew Richards, the application is the latest residential proposal for the site, with plans for 10 flats having been approved in 2011, a scheme for 12 flats approved in 2014 and another application for 16 flats approved in 2017.

Despite these approvals, the site has never been developed.

The development would provide 24 car parking spaces, including five off street spaces, accessed from Edward Street, for use existing residents in the area.

Another feature of the building will be a “living roof” covered in plant life - a condition aimed at increasing biodiversity on the site.

A brochure for living roofs included in the application includes a quote from environmental fable The Lorax by Dr Seuss, saying: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”

It goes on to highlight the benefits of living roofs on attracting bees and butterflies.

Approving the plans, officers said: “The site occupies a sustainable location within the urban area of Bingley where there is good quality access to public transport links, amenities and services.

“The development would contribute towards meeting housing demand in the context of an acute lack of housing land supply and recent under delivery.”