BRADFORD Council has approved plans to build 34 new family homes on the site of a former residential complex on a housing estate.

Incommunities, the district’s biggest social housing landlord, has been given the go-ahead to build a mixture of four and two-bed rental properties on land previously occupied by the Daily Court sheltered housing scheme off Quaker Lane, Canterbury.

The development forms part of Incommunities’ affordable homes programme, with work set to start on the site by the autumn.

Daily Court, built in 1979, was a 57-unit sheltered housing scheme that was put up for sale in 2012, but demolished the following year after no buyer was found.

The developer behind the project, Lumia Homes, said the old apartments had become unpopular, with the empty building becoming a target for vandals.

The new proposal consists of 34 two-storey properties, 11 of which would be four-bedroom homes, with the remaining 23 having two bedrooms.

A council report recommending that planning permission be granted states: “The proposal provides a residential scheme on an unallocated previously-developed site.

“The density, scale, form, layout, and design of the proposal are acceptable and present no concerns with regard to residential amenity and highway safety.

“The designs of the dwellings, whilst not architecturally significant, are in keeping with the character of the existing dwellings in the immediate vicinity, as is the layout.”

The report suggested that the developer should contribute £145,571 to local education infrastructure and £20,897 to recreational facilities, but the authority has recommended that the contributions are not sought, as the proposal is a 100 per cent affordable housing scheme with no real profits likely to be generated.

One nearby resident, Syed Bukhari, of Tern Street, Bradford, commented: “I fully support this application as more housing is definitely needed around here.

“Also, the vacant land is attracting vagrants and yobs and is being used as a tip.

“My only reservation would be that the plans should include a green area as the increase in residents would cause a burden upon the already insufficient recreational facilities in and around the estate.”

Rupert Pometsey, director of Incommunities, Lumia Homes, said: “We are delighted to have received planning approval to redevelop this site of former outdated flats and deliver much-needed family-sized homes.

“We are planning to start on site in the autumn on a development of 34 four and two-bedroom homes, all available for affordable rent, which we hope will also enhance the local area.

“The development will be part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency.

“This high-quality scheme has been designed by our in-house development team, and forms part of our affordable homes programme which will see 264 homes built across the district by 2018.

“In recent months, homes have been completed at Thorpe Edge and Manningham.”

Councillor Taj Salam (Lab, Little Horton) had welcomed the scheme when it was announced earlier this year, saying there was a “massive shortage” of suitable family homes within inner-city wards.

“It is wonderful news that this long-awaited project has been given the green light,” he said.

“The land has been derelict for some time, but now we will see progress.

“The community will benefit from a greater housing offer, and there will be less fly-tipping and vandalism on the site.

“This scheme is much-needed.”