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  • "I'm suprised the council hasn't asked for it to become a take away like the building in Baildon that was once a public toilet. Not to mention how many business's have failed there with grants from the council.
    Also I to would like to see some pictures and there a chance to appeal."
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Controversy over Denholme site bid approval

9:50am Friday 22nd July 2011 in Denholme Photograph of the Author By Marc Meneaud , Aire Valley Chief Reporter

The Taylor site The Taylor site

Developers will be allowed to bulldoze a 130-year-old former railway shed despite heritage experts fearing it is the last remaining building of its type.

Timber merchant CR Taylor has been given permission to build a 73-home development on its headquarters in Station Road, where Denholme’s former railway station once stood. That will mean developers demolishing a run-down former railway goods shed of “historical significance” as one of the last remaining buildings of its kind in the country.

At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Shipley Area Planning Panel yesterday, Alan Whitaker, who has researched railways in West Yorkshire for 40 years, called for it to be sensitively restored as part of the mixed housing and business development.

He was supported by national railway history experts, the West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service, Denholme Town Council and the Great Northern Railway Trail Forum (GNRTF), which has been campaigning to re-open the former Great Northern Railway route between Queensbury and Cullingworth for walkers and cyclists.

Mr Whitaker told the panel: “All these groups and individuals are telling you that there is a significant historic building on this site, which should be protected and embraced in any new development. I find it utterly bizarre that the Council is looking to demolish this building.”

Part of the Great Northern Trail, a footpath and cycle track, will run along the eastern side of the development, next to Die Park Reservoir.

CR Taylor agent Rachel Flounders said: “There is no viable use for the building.”

Planning panel member Councillor Val Binney (Con, Thornton and Allerton) suggested the original railway building could be moved “brick by brick” to a new location on the site and used for an industrial unit.

Councillor Keith Dredge (Lab, Keighley West), said: “I find it a tragedy that it has to be pulled down but the shed has not been seen for years because it is surrounded by other buildings in the timber yard.

  • Read more in Friday’s T&A

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