Old Haworth fire station could be demolished to make way for Co-op convenience store

The property at the junction of Bridgehouse Lane and Station Road has been disused since it was shut as part of controversial cost-cutting measures at the end of 2014.

Despite protest rallies and a campaign to save the facility, the fire service said worse than expected Government funding cuts meant it did not have the money to help re-open the premises as a community-run safety hub.

Now, plans have been submitted to knock it down and build a Co-op on the site.

A detailed design statement accompanying the application explains: “The store would provide additional choice to retain shoppers spend within the village.

“A convenience store of this size will typically provide up to a total of 25 employment opportunities, including full and part-time.

“Being located close to nearby residential areas this will provide convenient local employment opportunities that can often fit into people’s daily lifestyles offering a mix of full and part-time jobs.

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“The proposed opening hours of the convenience store are between 6am and 11pm, while delivery hours are intended to be between 6am and 11pm.

“To the rear of the building along the southern boundary of the site, the existing mature trees are to be retained.

“A pedestrian route from Station Road to the rear of the building will lead to a viewing area for train enthusiasts, residents and tourists to enjoy views of the trains.

“Dalehead Properties [the agent for the applicant] are currently in negotiation with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway regarding the provision of this area.”

The applicant says the new Co-op would physically and economically regenerate a vacant brownfield site.

Its proposals also include the provision of 19 customer parking spaces and a cash machine.

As of Friday, July 13, 29 comments about the plan had been submitted to the planning section of Bradford Council’s website – 22 in support, six against and one neutral.