A SHIPLEY business; plans to replace its traditional shop frontage with a more modern design has been refused by Bradford Council.

Castle Residential Properties had submitted plans to change the frontage of its Otley Road building - near Fox Corner.

The application said the existing timber frontage was "in need of replacement / repair" and that the aim was "to make the offices look much more modern and take advantage of its prominent corner position."

But Council officers pointed out that the building is in the Leeds Liverpool Canal Conservation Area - and that the modern shop front "will result in the loss of this attractive and traditional feature of the property and will undermine the strength of character and appearance of not just the host property but the cohesiveness of the all the properties in the block."

Conservation officer Hannah Meekings added: "In my opinion the proposed shopfront is inappropriate and will appear out of keeping with the host property. 

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"Whilst contemporary design can enhance traditional buildings, it is not always appropriate and must be carefully handled in order to enhance the appearance of the building and be respectful of its architectural character and features. 

"In this instance the proposed shopfront appears incongruous and discordant."

Shipley Town Council had also raised concerns about the loss of a traditional shop frontage.

Refusing the plans this week, officers said: "The proposal would result in the loss of a traditional timber shopfront on a prominently sited, key unlisted building along a major traffic route on the approach to Shipley Town Centre."