Toilet plan for historic gallery sparks criticism

Cartwright Hall in Bradford was described as having a "grand neo-Baroque design"

Bradford Council’s plans to build a disabled toilet next to one of the city’s grandest buildings have been scrapped after heavy criticism from its own conservation expert.

The council had proposed installing the loo next to Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, as part of a push to boost local disabled facilities.

But conservation officer Jon Ackroyd called the design "discordant" and raised security concerns.

The council said it would look for an "alternative location".

The council had proposed installing a Changing Places toilet, which has washing and changing facilities for profoundly disabled people, on the north side of the hall in Lister Park.

An artist's impression of the toilet, which a conservation officer likened to a "rectangular box"

The application had said that the proposed benefits of the facility would "outweigh any impact this may have on the nearby heritage aspects".

However, Mr Ackroyd disagreed, comparing the design to a "rectangular box".

He described the Grade II listed hall – a council-run gallery built in 1900 – as having a “grand neo-Baroque design” that “bears some comparison with the Brussels Palais de Justice”.

He said: "That the structure would have a minimal impact on heritage assets cannot be accepted.

"It would appear notably incongruous next to the listed building, and discordant in the established environment of the park."

Mr Ackroyd also raised safety concerns, saying there had been "persistent anti-social behaviour" around the hall.

He said the flat roof would be easy for people to "climb upon, damage or inflict damage on the hall".

He said the construction materials could present a fire risk which in turn "could threaten or damage" the listed building.

When asked about the plans being withdrawn, a Bradford Council spokesperson said: "We are still delivering Changing Places toilets throughout the district, and we’re looking for an alternative location for this one."

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