Planning permission is granted for Wilsden fishing facility that helps disabled and disadvantaged

Mick Bradbury runs Highlands and Far View Fishing Lakes, and yesterday was granted planning permission to expand the facility to include a new classroom and visitor facility, silver fish fishing lake and canal pond.

Despite having reeled in support from various community groups that use the centre, off Lee Lane, previous expansion attempts have been refused because the land is in green belt, and the plans also includes a house.

But at yesterday’s meeting of Bradford Council’s Keighley area planning committee, members were told the house plans had been scaled down, and were no longer a problem with officers. Because of break-ins and fish poaching, Mr Bradbury says the dwelling is needed for security reasons.

The new facility will include changing rooms and a classroom for teaching visitors about fishing before they head out to the lake. A number of Bradford Council’s children’s and social service groups already use the lake for day trips, including a fishing club for fostered and adopted children. Mr Bradbury hopes an expansion will make it accessible to even more community groups.

Not everyone was in favour of the plans – the council had received eight letters of objection, with some Wilsden residents saying the new buildings would be out of character with the rural surroundings and could create too much traffic.

Derek Carver, a pastor at Bradford’s Advance Church, Sandy Lane parish councillor and school governor, addressed the committee in support of Mr Bradbury.

He argued that with councils having to cut back on many sports and leisure facilities, ventures such as this one should get their full support. He added: “This facility works with disadvantaged children and adults and re-engages them with education. The applicant is amazing, what he is doing is almost philanthropic – this is not a money making exercise I want to applaud his efforts and I commend this application to the committee.”