A NEW car park in Saltaire would harm one of the village's most important buildings - according to a heritage officer.

Cotson Reddish & Co Insurance Brokers had submitted a planning application to Bradford Council to create a small staff car park for two cars at the rear of its Albert Road base in the World Heritage Site.

The plan would have involved the removal of part of a wall and railings to the back/side of the building.

However, the application has been refused by Bradford Council, after the authority's World Heritage Officer criticised the scheme, saying it would harm the Grade II listed building.

The company had said: "Cotson Reddish have been located in Saltaire for many years and provide an important service to the community and have continually maintained one of Saltaire’s important and prominent buildings while doing so.

"A dedicated parking area for staff to use while in and out the office would result in the company being able to successfully operate within the existing building and within Saltaire, a community that they have served for many years."

But heritage officers said the damage to the building was not justified. Sheena Campbell, the Council's dedicated Saltaire World Heritage Officer, pointed out that the property was the largest house in the village - and was usually occupied by the Salt company’s chief cashier.

She said: "The proposals involve removal of the original low stone wall and original railings. The wall and railings provide a sense of enclosure and are important to the setting of the listed building. These are an important feature and are classed as listed by virtue of being within the curtilage of the Grade II listed building.

"This is a prominent building at the entrance gateway to Saltaire and historically important as the largest house in the village, previously occupied by the company’s chief cashier.

"The explanation and justification submitted for the works do not outweigh the harm that would be caused by the proposals.

"The proposals would cause substantial harm to the character, appearance and setting of the Listed Building, Conservation Area and World Heritage site."

Planning officers refused the application shortly before Christmas.