Children’s home extension at 7 Briarfield Avenue, Bradford

What was proposed

The application sought a children’s home, a rear extension, and replacement of a side extension, with the works partly retrospective.

“Type of Application/Proposal and Address: Change of use to children’s home (C2 use), single storey rear extension, demolition of side extension and replacement with adjoining single storey side extension (retrospective) at 7 Briarfield Avenue, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD10 8QR”

Officer report

The site

The site was a detached single-storey dwelling with parking and amenity space in a suburban area of larger homes on spacious plots.

“Site Description: The application site consists of a single storey detached dwelling with associated vehicular hardstanding and surrounding amenity space. The surrounding area is suburban in character and consists of larger dwellings sat within spacious plots. The dwelling has been extended to the rear and to the side.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Two earlier applications concerning supported accommodation, extensions and a C2 use were withdrawn in March and May 2025.

“Relevant Site History: 24/03508/CLP- Change of use from dwellinghouse to support provision for two learning disabled young people. WITHDRAWN 18.03.2025.”

“25/01172/FUL- Retention of as built ground floor extensions and change of use to C2 accommodation with live in carer. WITHDRAWN 28.05.2025.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the extensions overly dominant and visually incongruous, causing unacceptable harm to the dwelling, street scene and wider built environment.

“Impact on Built Environment The side extension while employing a similar footprint to the previous garage, now includes a visually incongruous flat roof over the previous hipped roof, and significantly raised height beyond the existing roof eaves of the host dwelling.”

“It is considered than cumulatively the extensions dominate the host dwelling and appear markedly visually incongruous within the wider built environment. They are not subservient to the host nor are they of the same architectural style.”

Officer report

Consultation and public views

The children’s social care commissioning team supported the facility’s service need, police had no objection, and 46 representations included support, objections and neutral comments.

“Publicity and Number of Representations: The application was publicised with neighbour notification letters which expired on 3 October 2025. 46 representations have been received in regard to the proposal, 32 in support, 12 objections and 2 neutral comments.”

“Consultations: Children’s Social Care Commissioning Team: Confirms that the proposal aligns with sufficiency needs. West Yorkshire Police: No objection. Children’s Social Care: No response received. Children’s Trust: No response received. Development and Enabling: No response received.”

Officer report

What people said

Supporters cited specialist accommodation and suitable space, while objectors raised design, parking, highway safety, noise and overlooking concerns.

“Summary of Representations Received: Support comments: • The proposal provides a new facility for the use of special needs individuals where an undersupply currently exists. • The extensions appear appropriate within the wider streetscene. • The premises includes sufficient space and an appropriate layout to function as a children’s home.”

“Objection comments: • The extensions result in significant harm to the surrounding built environment. • The proposal provides insufficient parking provision and severe harm to surrounding highways safety. • The proposal causes undue noise disturbance to surrounding neighbours. • The proposal results in overlooking of neighbours.”

Officer report

What the agents said

The agents said the scheme would provide local specialist care, support families, meet young people’s needs and avoid severe highway harm.

The panel’s decision

The Panel granted planning permission contrary to the officer recommendation because it considered the extension’s design and scale acceptable within the varied surrounding area.

“That planning permission be granted for the development at 7 Briarfield Avenue, Bradford, BD10 8QR, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, on the basis that the Panel considered the design and scale of the extension to be acceptable within the varied character of the surrounding area.”

Minutes