Pub site to become EV charging station after plan approved

The Kingswood Arms in Cutler Heights was demolished in 2019 after standing empty for two decades.

Since then the site, Sticker Lane and Cutler Heights Lane, has remained vacant, and is currently overgrown and a regular fly tipping hot spot.

Plans for a car was on the site had been approved years ago without any follow up.

Earlier this year a planning application to create an electric vehicle charging station on the site was submitted to Bradford Council.

The plans were submitted by Fastned, an EV charging company that operates sites across Europe.

The former Kingswood Arms site (Image: newsquest)

The company’s website says: “In designing our stations, we transform the ordinary act of fuelling your car into an experience that doesn’t just charge your battery but your spirit as well.”

The work to the site would include eight rapid charging bays covered by a canopy incorporating solar glass.

The application said: “The charging station is modelled after similar developments in Europe and the UK, and is designed to allow EVs to receive a rapid charge (approximately 15-20 minutes) before continuing their onward journey.”

Although the site has long been considered for a potential road widening scheme to improve traffic at the junction, the company argued that these plans seem no closer to happening than when they were first mooted over 30 years ago.

The scheme has now been approved by Bradford Council.

Planning officers said: “Sticker Lane is part of the city's outer ring road, and Wakefield Road, a major arterial roadway into the city, both are heavily trafficked.

“The proposed development is situated on existing surface material, a mixture of decaying hard standing and weeds from the demolished Kingswood Arms Pub and carpark.

“The proposal is welcomed as it would allow provide a source low carbon source for charging electric vehicles.

“The application site former uses were for public house and has a previous planning permission for hand car wash, which are considered to be more intensive uses in terms of coming and going of vehicular movements.”

When the plans were first revealed there was a mixed response on the Telegraph & Argus' Facebook page.

One T&A reader said: “Another absolute waste of money. The city needs cleaning up, not battery chargers.”

But another responded to say: “Can't see the company that's investing in this site spending their money on cleaning up Bradford.

“On the other hand, they will have to pay business rates, which Bradford Council badly needs.”