Appeal to keep 'unwelcoming' roller shutters on Thornton Road fails

And they also dismissed claims that the shutters would only be seen at night – pointing out that when they visited at lunchtime the black shutters were clearly visible.

Last Summer, Bradford Council refused a retrospective planning application for black roller shutters at 528 Thornton Road – opposite The Range.

Officers said the shutters, which replaced perforated green shutters, would go against the Council’s policy on metal shutters, and create an “unsightly, fortress-like appearance to this prominent road frontage.”

They also pointed out that the shutters have seemingly been extended to cover an area of public highway.

The original shutters on the shop - before the black shutters were installed (Image: google)

Applicant Faisal Aslam lodged an appeal against this refusal. His appeal said: “The impact of the proposed development is not as great as suggested by the Council.

“It is noted that the shutters are not seen during normal working hours when it is reasonable to expect that the street attracts its highest amount of visitors/traffic. This further minimises the impact of the proposal in respect of the street being ‘unwelcoming’ or creating the perception of an unsafe environment.”

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But planning inspector A Veevers has now dismissed that appeal, agreeing with the Council. He said: “The current development goes beyond replacing previous shutters by extending the shutter box housing and shutters on both elevations of this corner property to enclose part of the pavement and ‘square off’ the existing splayed corner.

“The solid projecting shutter structure draws the eye unduly as a result of its lack of integration with the splayed design at the corner of the existing building.

“The roller shutter is more prominent in the street scene and starkly at odds with the design of the host building.

“The scheme appears as an incongruous addition that fails to harmonise with the character and appearance of the area.

“The appellant states that the shutters are not seen during normal working hours, however at the time of my site visit during a midweek lunchtime, the shutters were closed.

“Whilst I appreciate this represents only a snapshot in time, even if the shutters were open during the daytime, it is likely they would be closed during evening hours.

“Consequently, there would be a significant number of hours during which the shutters would present a blank and unwelcoming façade in close proximity to passing pedestrians and vehicles using Thornton Road.”