A DEVELOPMENT of retirement apartments can be built on a former industrial site in Idle after plans by a major housing developer were approved.

McCarthy and Stone applied to build the retirement living development on the site on Bradford Road, Idle, late last year.

They said the development would provide much needed retirement housing in the area.

The application, for 51 apartments, has now been approved by planning officers at Bradford Council.

The former COS Presentations site was first earmarked for development in early 2020, when a planning application to flatten industrial buildings on the plot of land and replace them with 14 homes were approved.

That residential development never went ahead, and last Summer the land was put on the market for £500,000.

McCarthy and Stone is the UK’s biggest retirement home provider, and like their other UK developments, this Idle site will be for over 60s.

Referring to the company’s style of housing, the planning application said: “The proposition combines the best features of your own home with the ability to engage with a like-minded community and have care and support on hand when required. It also unlocks the housing market by releasing larger homes at the top of the ladder.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An artist's impression of the planned McCarthy Stone developmentAn artist's impression of the planned McCarthy Stone development (Image: newsquest)

“The site is in a highly accessible location, within close proximity to a variety of shops and transport links which will reduce the dependency on car usage and often leads to reduced car ownership.

“The existing street scene along Bradford Road is fragmented and lacks design quality: the proposal aims to balance and enhance the architectural language along this section of the road.

“McCarthy Stone have created this development concept to target a level of affordability that is an under-supplied sector of the market, and for which there has been no substantial supply of stock.”

There had been no objections to the plans.

Approving the scheme, planning officers said: “Meeting the housing provision for Bradford's older population is identified as a major strategic challenge and it is subsequently noted that the provision of specialist accommodation for older people, will be supported in suitable locations with good access to amenities and services. This also weighs in favour of the proposed development.

“The proposal is considered to represent a sustainable form of development which would provide much needed new housing to meet an identified need within the district.”

One condition of the development is that each of the 20 parking spaces on the site has access to an electric car charging point.