A HOUSING development in Thornton has been approved - although it will have 90 fewer homes than originally planned.

In 2019 outline planning permission was granted for a 250 home estate on fields off Thornton Road, between Thornton and Keelham.

In January a much more detailed application for the site was submitted to Bradford Council by Gleesons Homes. However, this application was for much fewer homes than the outline plans - 160 houses.

This application has now been approved by Bradford Council - meaning the development can begin.

One condition of the approval is that future residents of the estate will not be able to convert their garages into living space.

With the more detailed plans, Gleeson had revealed that the site would include 40 two bed homes, 101 three bed homes and 19 four bed homes, as well as two areas of public open space.

Around 32 homes will be classed as affordable.

Over a decade ago an employment development was proposed for the same site. Planning permission was granted, and some site works took place.

Garages in housing development would be too small for cars - meeting hears

However, those plans never progressed, and the land remained empty. That planning permission has now expired.

The housing application said the collapse of the employment plans was due to a “lack of demand.”

In the application for the site, Gleesons Homes said: “The aim is to build on Gleeson’s’ previous design work and knowledge of the area.

“A range of new dwellings will be provided which are inclusive, affordable and cater for a variety of family sizes. The redevelopment of the site for the purpose of new build residential properties is considered the most appropriate use of the site given its location.

“The proposals represent a sustainable development with good public transport, local services, employment opportunities and facilities readily available.”

Approving the more detailed plans, planning officers said: “The scheme provides a residential scheme on a site that benefits from outline planning permission.

“The scale, form, layout and design of the proposal are considered to be acceptable and present no concerns with regard to residential or visual amenity and highway safety.”

Highways officers pointed out that the Council had previously judged 250 homes on the site to be acceptable, so 90 fewer homes would cause no highways issues.

One condition of the approval is that “No internal or external alterations shall take place to any garage, which would preclude its use for housing motor vehicles without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority.”

This condition was added: “In the interests of ensuring that adequate levels of parking are provided.”

In recent years members of Bradford Council planning committees have raised concerns about how many home owners are converting garages into living accommodation, studies or extra bedrooms. They argue this removes parking provision from houses, and leads to more on street parking.

These concerns have lead to a number of housing developments having conditions placed on them that conversions can only happen with the approval of Council highways officers.

Usually home owners are able to convert their garages into living space without the need for planning permission.