Homes plan for pub approved despite objections

The former Hare and Hounds pub in Heaton has been empty since September 2022

Plans to convert a former pub into a row of shops and new homes have been approved after developers agreed to measures to improve biodiversity.

Dawatt Enterprise wants to build three shops, three flats and four houses on the site of the vacant Hare and Hounds in Toller Lane, Heaton.

Bradford Council initially turned down the application after councillors raised concerns about the number of trees being felled at the site and the impact on biodiversity.

However, after the developer amended the plans to plant wildflower areas and 20 new trees as well as fund a number of improvements to green spaces off-site the application was given the green light.

Current planning policy requires developments to include a boost, or “net gain” in biodiversity, meaning that when completed there must be a greater level of biodiversity – including trees and greenery, than there was before the work.

Plans for the site involve the ground floor of the building – the last pub in the area – being converted into three shops, including a convenience store, with its upper floors turned into flats.

Four townhouses would be built on the large car park area on the same site, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A number of objections were raised to the amended plans, with 25 people writing to the council urging planners to again reject the application.

Objectors feared the new shops would bring anti-social behaviour, noise and traffic.

But approving the development this month, planning officers pointed out the site has long been in use as a pub – with late opening hours.

Highways officers felt the 38 parking spaces proposed for the shops and flat would be adequate, and the developer had agreed to provide two spaces for each of the townhouses.

Biodiversity officers agreed that the measures proposed in the amended plans were enough to overcome the previous reason for refusal.

Additional conditions are that the developer will be required to fit at least six bird boxes and six bat boxes.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.