PLANS to build houses on the site of a church that burned down last year have been approved by Bradford Council.

An application to demolish the derelict Unitarian Church building on Broadway Avenue, Little Horton, and build five houses in its place were first approved in 2016.

The houses were never built, and the church was demolished after a fierce fire last year.

Nadeem Butt re-submitted the plans this Spring, as the original application had expired, and the application was approved by Bradford Council's Bradford Area Planning Panel today.

The site is surrounded on all sides by housing.

The church was originally built in 1906 as a “temporary” home for one of the city’s two Unitarian Church congregations. But the congregation remained in the building for 100 years before selling the building and becoming part of the Bradford Unitarians - which meets in Russell Street.

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After the church shut, the building became decrepit and the land around it became a target for fly-tipping.

Members were told that each house would have its own off street parking space, and were shown photographs of the fly-tipped site as it looks now.

Councillor Paul Sullivan (Cons, Bingley Rural) said: "This helps address the need of our growing population."

Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) said: "This is such a densely populated area. By approving more houses here are we not exacerbating any existing problems?"

Planning officer Amin Ibraham pointed out that there were parking spaces for all the homes, and added: "This site was previously a church.

"Any similar use could have a much greater impact on highway safety in the area than five homes."

The panel then approved the plans.