Full Council Resolution re McCarthy Stone application revisions

Baildon Town Council Full Council meeting 23rd September 2024

Resolved: FC2425/39

Baildon Town Council supports the McCarthy Stone planning application for retirement homes in the centre of Baildon, and proposes naming the development after Ian Clough, but seeks reassurance on points of concern.

Baildon Town Council (BTC) this week considered the revised planning application by McCarthy Stone (McS) which is to be decided by Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Panel on 3rd October.

It welcomed a range of improvements, including use of natural stone and slight reduction in scale, the withdrawal of a requirement to lease public car parking spaces, environmental features throughout and the commitment of McS to make a financial contribution to support the environment.

Concerns remain regarding the proposal for Saturday morning working during construction, including a potential negative impact on the very popular monthly Baildon Farmers Market, local businesses and residents.

BTC, with the support of Ian Clough's family, wishes to propose that the development be named "Ian Clough Court" to continue to remember the young Baildon man who died so tragically in a climbing accident, aged 33, in the 1970 British Annapurna expedition led by Sir Chris Bonington.

BTC also calls for Bradford Council to achieve better management of public car parking in the centre of Baildon, including the under-used Grove car park, in order to make the best use of existing provision, and therefore reduce the negative impact of the loss of car parking spaces from the development.

The Council resolution in full can be found here

Councillor Gill Dixon comments:

" We are in touch with Ian Clough's family and are pleased to propose that if this application is approved by Bradford Council, this development is named after Ian Clough and becomes Ian Clough Court.

We know there is a shortage of housing options for older people in Baildon. This development in the very heart of Baildon centre could meet that need for those who wish to spend their retirement years in the community they call home. BTC believes that, given the site is to be developed, this application is the most suitable possible use.

According to the plans, over 50 public car parking spaces will remain, and BTC will seek to work with Bradford Council to make best use of public car parking spaces in Baildon Centre, including the Grove car park, to minimise the negative impact from the reduction in spaces".

Comments on the planning application should be made to https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=S9VSX0DHLQT00