More than 50 homes in historic Saltaire have had unlawful work done on them in the last 10 years.

Now legal action could be taken against the owners if they refuse to put right the alterations to the former mill workers' cottages.

Most of the breaches involve modern ''off-the-peg'' front and back doors instead of the traditional timber-panelled designs acceptable in Sir Titus Salt's day.

Other unapproved work includes uPVC windows, replacing a stone-flagged path with concrete and the demolition of a chimney stack. Bradford Council's planning (Shipley area) sub-committee will meet tomorrow to consider a report on unauthorised work carried out on the Grade II listed buildings.

Officials say the unauthorised work weakens the character of the area, which is visited by thousands of tourists each year and is hoping to be awarded World Heritage Status.

Saltaire centre was designated a conservation area in 1971 and even minor alterations need consent to maintain the traditional look.

The report recommends informing owners of the breaches in a bid to get them to put things right.

It also asks councillors to support enforcement action if agreement cannot be reached. Conservation officer Steve Bateman said: "Anyone who undertakes work to a listed building without consent is committing an offence."

He said it was hoped to put things right through informal negotiations and said residents could apply for grants towards getting their windows, doors and chimneys restored to their original condition.

John Firth, of Caroline Street, installed a new back door without planning permission after the old one was forced open. He said: "I'd be annoyed if they say I have to change it, because it cost me £300."

A resident in Herbert Street who replaced his doors without permission said: "If they want to put all the doors back how they were, they should do it for free.''

T&A Opinion

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