Keighley News
CARE HOME PLANS FOR CHURCH SITE
9:20am Saturday 4th February 2012
A disused Keighley church could be demolished to make way for a care home.
The planning application has been submitted for the derelict Church of Christ the King, which occupies a sloping 0.4 hectare site between Bradford Road and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Sandbeds.
The applicant – Herncliffe Care Homes, which already runs a home in Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley – wants to build a three-storey 58-bedroom facility. The company explained that it had consulted people living in neighbouring properties and amended its designs in response to their feedback.
Its design statement accompanying the application adds: “The site is off a busy main road with good public transport connections and road linkages.
“We believe the proposals are a considered response to a difficult site that will enhance the local environment and provide socio-economic benefits to the whole area.”
Brooke Smith Planning, an agent acting on behalf of the applicant, said it was likely the home would employ 26 staff. It added: “There are few other nursing homes in the area offering the same quality of care to the community, particularly for those who suffer from dementia.
“Our client has identified a considerable need for such nursing care provision and the development would help address this shortfall.
“The increase in traffic movement associated with the proposal is considered to have little impact upon overall traffic levels using Bradford Road. While the existing access point will be used, it will be widened and the access road re-graded.
“As part of the development, 23 car-parking spaces will be provided along with three spaces for disabled drivers.”
Residents of one household neighbouring the application site have registered their objection to the plans, arguing that the new building would overshadow their property, harm their privacy and cause noise disturbance.
The church and the land was sold by its original owner, the Catholic Diocese of Leeds. The church closed in 2006, and in January 2008 Bradford planners approved an outline application to demolish the building and replace it with flats, despite a petition opposing the proposals.