Member Article

West Yorkshire developer to invest £5 million in former Bradford Council care home site

West Yorkshire’s David Wilson Homes has bought the site of Shirley Manor and Beechwood on Huddersfield Road from Bradford Council and aims to invest £5 million in 50 new homes.

The 50-home development on Huddersfield Road will support more than 75 full time jobs per year over the course of the project which is expected to be completed in 42 months, whilst the development as a whole is expected to offer a boost of £7.5million to the local economy.

The site was formerly the location of two elderly person homes, which have been demolished. The land has been allocated for housing for over 20 years but was difficult to develop due to the slope of the site, the problems of creating an access off Huddersfield Road and the large volume of trees on the site.

Following a reappraisal of the development potential by Estate Management and a radical design created by Ove Arup & Beckwith Design Associates Outline Planning Consent was obtained.

The Council offered the site for sale and the successful bidder was David Wilson Homes which submitted a full application which was quickly dealt with by the Planning Department and which has led to a consent for 50 dwellings set in pockets and retaining the woodland setting.

Prior to the sale, David Wilson Homes invested funds to ensure that the site could be developed, by working with an engineering company, illustrating the company’s dedication to the site.

The sale has been completed this week and David Wilson Homes have started on the preliminary works.

Ian Ruthven, managing director at David Wilson Homes, commented: “We are really looking forward to developing the new site in Wyke – the beautiful woodland setting, which will be maintained within the plans will really set these homes apart.

“ David Wilson Homes invested in this project before the sale had been agreed, which we hope shows local residents how dedicated we are to making the site a success.“

Cllr David Robinson, commented: “I have been a huge supporter of the scheme since its inception, and feel that David Wilson Homes has shown a huge amount of care and attention to detail through the design of the site, and also throughout the consultation process.

“The team met with local residents and myself to discuss the site and any concerns, and suggestions were taken into account. I can’t praise the David Wilson Homes team enough, and am looking forward to seeing the first homes be built this year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .