A DEVELOPMENT of holiday lets in the centre of Haworth would put unacceptable pressure on the village’s already strained roads – a planning inspector has concluded.

An appeal that would have allowed derelict buildings on West Lane and The Fold to be converted into 11 Air B&B style apartments has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

The plans, submitted by Adrian Longthorn, were refused by Bradford Council’s Keighley Area Planning Panel last year, when members raised concerns about where visitors to the site would park.

Mr Longthorn lodged an appeal against the refusal. The appeal made the bold claim that the Council’s planning case officer had been “disappointed” by the decision, and had vowed to support the appeal.

Government Planning Inspector L Wilson has now released a decision on the appeal – and has supported the Council’s decision.

They said: “The proposed development would result in the change of use from three dwellinghouses to 11 airbnb holiday lets, which would result in a significant increase in the number of vehicle trips compared to the lawful use of the building.

“There would not be a safe and convenient place for users (including cleaners) of the units to park outside the buildings given the width of the road, and parking restrictions.

“The appellant would not be able to restrict how users of the accommodation arrive. Whilst some users may arrive by public transport or on foot or cycle, on the basis of the information presented, it is likely that most would arrive by vehicle.

“The evidence before me indicates that parking problems already exist in the area, many streets in the village have a lack of parking for residents and businesses, and nearby car parks are often full. The proposed use would result in a high turnover of people and increase the pressure for parking close to the site, in an area where parking problems already exist, because of the number of units proposed.

“For these reasons, the proposal would have an unacceptably harmful effect on highway safety by reason of inadequate parking provision.

“The proposed development would increase the comings and goings compared to the lawful use of the buildings, and the accommodation would not be managed on site. The movement of users of the accommodation are likely to be different to permanent residents, for example there would be an increased likelihood of noise and disturbance in the evening and night.

“Given the number of units proposed and the number of residential properties nearby, the proposed development would have an unacceptable effect on the living conditions of nearby residents, with particular reference to noise and disturbance.”