A planning panel is tomorrow expected to refuse proposals to convert a disused care home into houses in Wilsden, despite support from residents and the Parish Council.

The old Laurel Bank Care Home building in Main Street has been empty since it moved to new premises in May last year.

The developers, Victorguard Care, want to convert the boarded-up building into seven houses.

Developer and co-owner Stephen Walkden said: “The building has been vandalised several times and broken into. The police have been called out a few times."

The application for planning permission has been recommended for refusal by Bradford Council’s planning department on the grounds that “the existing house and its landscape are considered to make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of Wilsden Conservation Area”.

The report also states the proposal fails to provide adequate information on tree preservation and fails to incorporate an appropriate standard of access for vehicles and pedestrians.

Barbara Thompson, clerk to Wilsden Parish Council, said: “At the planning meeting we had there was a majority decision in favour of the plans.

“We would rather see a new development there than see it boarded up.