A CONTROVERSIAL plan to replace a mill pool with a food store and car park in Eccleshill has received opposition from more than 700 people.

Pilley’s Mill dam, which is attached to the site of Union Mills, in Harrogate Road, is to be re-developed into a retail park, with the site’s dam area/mill pond set to be drained and replaced by a discount food store and car park under the proposals.

The proposed development, yet to be finalised, also includes six retail units and car park. But residents have lobbied against replacing the pond, with an online petition on change.org receiving 788 signatures.

Protesters claim the dam provides a well-used recreational pond for anglers, and is used by wildlife including a variety of birds.

Opus North, the applicant, will be looking to submit its planning application to Bradford Council later this year after consulting with residents, including a public meeting in April and a leaflet drop to 4,000 of homes and businesses. Opus North says it will include a smaller replacement pond as part of its proposal.

Robert Hoyle, 56, of Dudley Hill Road, Undercliffe, said: “It’s a beautiful little spot, there is a lot of natural stuff there. Not a lot of people know it’s there. It’s absolutely pristine. We don’t need another supermarket.”

Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “I’m not against the plans to redevelop the derelict mill buildings, but it should not be at the expense of the dam.”

An Opus North spokesman said: “We are very pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to the public consultation on our Union Mills proposals, which received more than 80 per cent support from local residents who participated, and an expression of interest in a job at the development from over 40 per cent of respondents.

“We remain fully committed to regenerating this run-down, brownfield site, which will unlock a multi-million pound investment in the economy, improve retail choice and convenience for residents and create more than 100 jobs in the Eccleshill area. After reviewing the feedback received from the local community we are currently going through the process of finalising our proposals, and aim to submit a planning application to Bradford Council later on in the year. As part of the scheme we plan to deliver new landscaping and provide ecological enhancements where possible.”