COUNCILLORS will this week decide whether to approve an application designed to increase employment at the site of a long standing Bradford business.

Bulmer and Lumb, which specialises in dying fabrics, has been based on Royds Hall Lane in Buttershaw since the mid 20th Century.

Earlier this year the company submitted a planning application to build four new light industrial units on the North East of the site and refurbish an existing building.

At its height the company once employed 2,000 people at the site, but currently the workforce is much smaller. The company said the new plans would “increase the number of people employed on the site significantly.”

But the proposals have attracted 20 objections from local residents, who fear the extra employment would bring more traffic and pollution with it, and that the new units would prove unsightly for those living in the area.

Some objectors say the development would reduce the value of their homes, and one said the company is only planning the works on the site because it wants to make a financial gain.

Industrial development for vacant site next to M606 is approved

The application will go before members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Thursday.

A report by planning officers recommends that the plans be approved.

The application would create around 2,300 square metres of new business space, and says the changes will “promote the presence of the Bulmer & Lumb site and to expand the employment opportunities available and provide modern, commercial space to meet the needs of 21st century businesses.”

A report to the Committee lists the concerns raised by residents, but says some of these, including concerns about the work reducing house values and claims that the company’s plans are based on financial gain, are not planning matters.

Some trees will be cut down to make way for the new units, but the report says: “Whilst the removal of trees to facilitate the build is not desirable the applicant has submitted a significant landscape design, incorporating wildflower meadows and replanting of about twice as many trees than are due to be removed.”

Referring to the traffic concerns, the report says: “Overall therefore it is acknowledged that the proposal will result in there being a slight increase in the level of traffic using the immediately surrounding highway network, it is not considered that it will be of a level that would have a detrimental impact on the operation of the highway network or highway safety.”

The Committee will meet in Bradford City Hall at 10am on Thursday.