NEW plans to build 14 homes instead of nine on the site of a disused Shipley synagogue are being recommended for approval by senior planners when Bradford Council regulatory and appeals committee meets on Monday.

Bradford Hebrew Congregation at first proposed building nine homes on the site of the defunct building in Springhurst Road.

Residents lodged a raft of objections to the initial smaller proposal, but the revised application is for 12 two bedroom homes and a pair of two bedroom apartments.

The proposed layout of the houses is for three short terraces of two storey dwellings surrounded by green open space and the majority of trees on the site will be retained.

Objectors have raised concerns over increased traffic and parking, the impact on wildlife and the loss of rough natural habitat for hedgehogs and other animals.

They also claim the new houses would overshadow existing homes, robbing rear gardens of natural light.

Supporters argue that the existing building is now a dangerous eyesore and that a low-cost housing development would benefit the area, has sufficient new parking and would serve the national demand for new homes.

The scheme has two terrace rows, staggered back from Springhurst Road and a third terrace formed within a new cul-de-sac.

And in a report officers have pointed out that the layout excludes the majority of the open and undeveloped land “providing a quality setting for the development and maintaining an attribute on which the local residents place great value.

“With the exception of the trees to the front of the site all the trees within curtilage of the synagogue will be retained.”

“The amended scheme is considered to strike an acceptable balance between respecting the layout and appearance of the locality whilst providing a functional development that will not harm the amenity of the existing residents.”

In recommending that the plan be approved, officers stress the need for new housing to be built and that it is classed as a brownfield site, close to shops amenities and transport.

“These factors weigh significantly in favour of the scheme and the principle of residential development is therefore considered to be acceptable,” the reports says

The committee meets at Bradford City Hall from 10am.