PLANS to demolish a Bradford church to make way for houses have been approved.

Eccleshill United Reform Church closed last June after its congregation dwindled to just eight worshippers on Sundays.

The Victoria Road building was put on the market shortly after, and in April Bradford based Masham Homes submitted a planning application to demolish the church and build five houses in its place.

The application has now been approved by Bradford Council, with planning officers saying the homes will “present an improvement” on the current appearance of the site.

The church was built in the 1960s, and a large part of the site is a car parking area.

There had been 14 objections to the plans raising concerns about the number of homes on the site and the increase in traffic.

Planning officers said: “Given the residential nature of the surrounding area, a residential use for this site is considered to be acceptable.

“The proposal will present an improvement on the site's current appearance and is considered to pay sufficient respect through its design and layout, to the existing character of this neighbourhood.”

Highways officers said five homes were unlikely to lead to any more traffic problems than the use of the site as a place of worship.