HOUSING developer Skipton Properties has been told its plans to alter a row of listed cottages would be "unacceptable."

Last Summer Bradford Council granted permission for the developer to convert existing listed buildings at Ebor Mills in Haworth into homes, and building 24 new homes on the rest of the site.

Earlier this year Skipton Properties asked Bradford Council for Listed Building Consent to make alterations to a number of Grade II listed cottages on Ebor Lane, numbers 4, 5 and 8.

In its application the company had said it: "Acquired the dwellings in question with the intention of enhancing the roadside frontage of their adjacent mill conversion and residential development site, whilst also upgrading existing housing stock to bring them back to a habitable standard."

The work would have included the replacement of doors, replacement of windows, to strip and repair of roof structure and internal works.

Some outbuildings would also be demolished.

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But Bradford Council has refused to grant listed building consent, saying the work would harm the listed cottages.

Conservation officer Jon Ackroyd said: "At present there is a lack of justification for some aspects which would result in a loss of significance. Some of the elements proposed would cause harm and will be unacceptable."

Planning officers said: "The simple Pennine vernacular is very evident and the cottages display a strong, consistent architectural character.

"There is a lack of justification and ambiguity as regards some aspects of the proposed alterations. There is no justification for removal of the existing first

floor, or the demolition of outbuildings. The proposed use of uPVC framed windows and composite doors is not consistent with the age and character of the buildings."