Shock for ‘eyesore’ protesters (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Shock for ‘eyesore’ protesters

8:50am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Bradford

Campaigners have been stunned by a decision which means a developer will not have to green over a long-standing “eyesore.”

Conserve Otley Riverside Campaign called last month for “seven years of visual blight” to be brought to an end at the former Bridge End Cattle Market site, in Otley.

But a planning inspector has instead upheld an appeal against the enforcement notice Leeds City Council served, in 2010, to have the conservation area plot completely tidied, levelled and grassed.

That decision marks a victory for landowner Parkmount Estates, which has been trying since 2005 to get building permission.

Inspector David Pinner concluded the council's insistence on the landowners returning the site to a green field was “unreasonable”.