Garage plan appeal for historic hall dismissed

The planning inspector said the plans would not "preserve the setting of the hall"

Proposals to build a garage on the site of a historic building have been rejected by a planning inspector.

Two applications relating to Bolton Old Hall in Wrose have recently been refused by Bradford Council, with officers raising concerns about the impact on the Grade II-listed property, which was built in 1627.

The plans were for a three-bay garage, which according to the application would be used to "store vehicles and other domestic items".

Dismissing the applicant's appeal, government planning inspector J Francis said: "The main concern would be the intrusion of this structure into the setting of the hall."

The plans would have seen the garage located to the south west of the site with a gravel access road leading to the garage from the Cheltenham Road access.

After the second plan was refused earlier this year, the applicant, Mr Sergejves, appealed Bradford Council's decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In the report, the planning inspector said the garage would "erode the spaciousness" which contributed to the "heritage significance and special interest of this designated heritage asset".

He said: "The building's heritage value is supported by the fact that the building and its surviving features are still experienced within a relatively open and rural setting.

"The gravel track would extend from the main gates to the garage and is intended to blend in with the surroundings.

"However, it would result in the movement and parking of vehicles in an area of the garden which has been free of such intrusions."

The report made reference to the applicant's concerns about the council's decision making, but added: " However, whilst I understand these concerns, they are matters between the main parties and do not affect my determination of the appeal which is based on the planning merits of the case."

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