Retirement flats risk loss of parking - council

An artist's impression of the Baildon retirement development

Plans for a 47-apartment retirement development in Baildon would lead to the loss of vital parking space in the town centre, a council has said.

The development by McCarthy Stone would be built on the former Ian Clough Hall site if a recently submitted application to Bradford Council is approved.

Baildon Town Council said the project would not provide enough parking, warning residents were “very concerned”.

According to the developer's website, "residents moving to a McCarthy Stone development tend to rely less on their car" and many who do "relinquish it altogether after a year".

Baildon Town Council's response to the application said: “This development will result in the loss of a large number of well-used car parking spaces in the village centre.

“Residents and businesses in Baildon are very concerned about the economic impact on the centre of such a change."

It added: “The council believes that the scale of the development is detrimental to the local economy unless steps are taken to reduce the projected car parking demand arising."

According to McCarthy Stone: "The proposals will also offer on-site car parking to include 26 spaces.

"The existing car park to the west of the site is to be retained, this providing over 50 spaces for use by the general public.

"In addition, five spaces within this retained car park are to be leased by McCarthy Stone for staff and visitor parking."

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