A controversial project to build houses on one of Britain's last surviving medieval barns will come to fruition tomorrow when the first tenants are presented with keys to their new homes.

Brunel Housing Association has built 14 flats for elderly people on the site of a former sixteenth century threshing barn on land in Towngate, Wrose.

Proposals to demolish the building were given the go-ahead by Bradford Council's (Shipley Area) planning sub-committee two years ago, which said that the barn was little more than a ruin and could not be restored.

But objectors to the scheme - led by Wrose Local History Group - condemned the decision, saying it would wipe out a rare piece of Bradford's heritage which could be saved for future generations.

Now, two years later, the housing development has been built on the site, following a decision by former Environment Secretary John Gummer to rubber-stamp the Council's decision to demolish the building.

Brunel say that the development provides 14 one-bedroomed flats for the elderly and will help to meet the acute demand for sheltered accommodation within the area.

The flats - called Tudor Barn Court - have been built using recycled stone from the barn's perimeter dry stone-walling, along with slate roofs and natural course stone to ensure a good match of materials.

The total cost to build the development was £630,000. Jeremy Burgess, chief executive of Brunel Housing, said: "We are delighted with the Towngate development and the way we have been able to integrate the original materials available to create attractive, easily accessible accommodation for the elderly.

"The scheme complements the unique local surroundings."

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