A BAILDON politician has questioned why the town’s Council-run library is secured by roller shutters, when other businesses are banned from installing them.

Councillor Debbie Davies (Cons) was referring to the temporary library that opened in Baildon last September to bridge the gap between the closure of the library at Ian Clough Hall and the opening of a new library at the neighbouring Baildon Club.

The temporary library was set up in the vacant former Martins Newsagent unit.

The unit is secured by metal roller shutters on the outside – a feature that the Council says was present before they took on the unit.

At a meeting of Bradford Council last week, Cllr Davies pointed out that the roller shutters appeared to go against a controversial Council planning policy, and questioned whether the Council should “set an example” by removing the shutters.

The policy, introduced in 2012, provided a guide to shopkeepers on how to secure their businesses.

It said: “External solid shutters hide shop fronts and window displays, and reduce light to the pavements, thus creating a deadening, unwelcoming and neglected effect on the high street. These effects present an unfriendly appearance and can create a perception of an unsafe environment on the high street.

“The use of external roller shutters are unlikely to be acceptable in all circumstances.”

Numerous businesses have fallen foul of the rule, with many refused planning permission.

Cllr Davies’ question said: “Would the Council clarify why the Council-owned temporary Baildon Library on Northgate in the Conservation Area is permitted to have solid external shutters, when there have been numerous cases of businesses having to alter their shop fronts because external shutters they have installed to improve security have been deemed unsightly?”

The Council response said the policy does not apply to shutters installed before it was introduced.

It said: “The metal shutters were already installed on this former retail unit and flat when the library was relocated into the property on a temporary basis last year. The planning officer’s comments on the planning application included that the existing shutters were to be retained for the new use.

“The refurbishment did not make any change to the shutters and the development control requirements were therefore satisfied. Should there be any change to the shopfront, including shutters, in the future then this would need to comply with our existing Shopfront Design Guide.”

Replying, Cllr Davies said: “If you think the design guide should be followed, shouldn’t the Council set an example by complying with it?”

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw replied: “It is being complied with. If you are changing the shopfront then the new rules apply. If you are not making any change to the shopfront then the new rules don’t apply.”