A BUILDING in Ilkley’s conservation area can be demolished to make way for ten, two-bed apartments, after plans were approved by Bradford Council.

The building at 11 Chantry Drive, Ilkley, was originally built as a post office, and the original front and corner facade will be retained under the plans. The accommodation will be over three floors, with four apartments at ground level, four apartments at first floor level and two apartments at second floor level.

The building is currently vacant and was last used a children’s nursery. It has also previously been used as a showroom.

The new development will include two integral garages, car parking, secure bin and cycle storage and associated private amenity space.

There will also be two electrical vehicle charging points within easy access of the parking area.

The application was approved by Bradford Council planning officers who said: “The site is located within the town centre of Ilkley and within Ilkley Conservation Area.

“Although the building is not identified as a key unlisted building it does make a generally positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area.”

They added: “The proposed development would provide 10 residential units on a sustainable brownfield site within Ilkley town centre.”

Ilkley Town Council plans committee was consulted and recommended approval of the application subject to: the ownership of contested land being resolved; the outside building materials to be of high quality and of a type of material in keeping with existing facade; surfaces to be permeable wherever possible, and the drainage not to create additional run-off; and the committee noted that the building lies within the town’s conservation area and accordingly, expects conservation principles to be observed.

However, Ilkley Civic Society said while it supported the creation of town centre dwellings “demolition and re-build is not a sustainable option”.

Other objections included: “This building was a post office when a child and is as much part of Ilkley as the town hall, station. It should not be demolished and replaced with modern flats.”

However, planning officers concluded: “The proposal provides a high quality residential scheme on a previously developed site in the centre of Ilkley.

“The scale, form, layout and design of the proposal are acceptable and present no concerns with regard to residential amenity or highway safety.

“Further, the proposal is well justified, carefully considered and well-presented and as a consequence will have a positive impact on the character of the street scene and wider conservation area and no impact on the setting of nearby listed buildings.”