Diused Windhill Station (shipley, west yorks)

[matacaster]

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co....ailway_station_site_earmarked_for_apartments/

Former railway station site earmarked for apartments


A PROMINENT site in Windhill could soon be used for housing if a new planning application is successful.

Hart Woods Developments has applied to Bradford Council for permission to redevelop the Windhill Old Station site, off Leeds Road, into apartments.

Although the plans are only in the outline stages, to determine if housing is a suitable use for the site, the application is for up to 60 apartments.

The most prominent building on the site is the old station building, and although the plans are only in the outline stages, they hint that the building would not be part of the site’s future.

The land is currently used by a wooden decking company, but the application says this business is looking to expand by moving to a new location.

The old building was the former terminus of a defunct line, built in the 1870s and shut in the 1930s. A heritage statement in the application says the building is in poor condition, and adds: “There are no English Heritage listings and no reference to any need to retain the building and there is no specific description of the historic importance of any part of the buildings or a specific use.

“There is therefore no need to retain any features of the buildings or the building itself.”

The application adds: “The scheme design recognises the issues that face the development of the site and the huge potential to ‘make a difference.’

“It’s vital to vision what the area will become, rather than to be hamstrung by what it might be today.

“The proposals have been developed to give the site some identity and to provide a ‘presence’ and a ‘place setting’ which will lift the site from its humble beginnings.”

West Yorkshire Police have been consulted on the plans, and Lisa Reardon, Bradford District Crime Prevention Design Advisor, has responded saying they support the application, but adding: “I do think it’s a shame that the existing building cannot be retained / renovated and somehow built into the scheme, as it has so much character and charm.”

Councillor Vanda Greenwood (Lab, Windhill and Wrose), said: “At the moment it is in the early stages, they are just asking for permission to build on the site.

“There is a lot of re-generation going on that is improving the area around Leeds Road, and hopefully any development at this site will add to this.”

Council officers have suggested that if 60 flats are built, the developer should contribute £102,756 to help provide extra school places in the area and a £26,000 contribution to local recreation facilities.

A decision will be made in October.

Shipley and Windhill railway station operated between 1875 and 1931. During the 1860s, two small railway companies were formed to promote suburban railways in Bradford, the Bradford, Eccleshill and Idle Railway and the Idle and Shipley Railway.

The line was open to goods traffic in 1874, and to passengers the next year. Passenger service ended in 1931, and the station closed. Goods traffic continued on the whole line until 1964 and as far as Idle until 1968.

It is many years since this building was used as a station and in fairness, the area is rather a mess. It was the terminus of the railway between Laisterdyke and Shipley and as it was built by the Great Northern, it did not use the existing Midland railway station. It is difficult to see any conceivable future railway use for the station on its existing site and the line started with a deep cutting at Laisterdyke [now filled in and built on] meandering (near) Eccleshill, Idle and Thackley. I remember seeing small freight trains on this line occasionally as a child. There is no chance whatever of the line being reopened!

The station building is of a rather nice design in Yorkshire stone - although unlikley to be of any use in its present location. Proabably the only possibility would be to transport it and rebuild it elsewhere in a suitable spot - however, the cost would almost certainly prove prohibitive. My main purpose was to advise photographers that they may not have much longer to capture this rather nice looking station before it is bulldozed.

 

[30907]

While it would be sad to see the building go, I won't be sorry if they tidy up the rest of the site.

 

[John Webb]

Picture of the building (click on it to go to the larger original):
Shipley: Former Great Northern station

© Copyright Dr Neil Clifton and
licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Taken in 2014 - the building seems to be in good shape and I would have thought it would make a good core to the rest of the site.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What would the estimated annual maintenance bill to ensure the large former station was kept in good order, had the existing tenants departed and no-one else took over the site. Who, in that case, would be responsible for such payments?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

While it would be sad to see the building go, I won't be sorry if they tidy up the rest of the site.

Looks a nice building based on the above image, but it's hardly unique. If it was in a decent state of repair or would be fairly easily restored I could see a flat in said building being very desirable. But if it's basically a wreck there's probably not much point. West Yorkshire needs more affordable homes, not yet more "boutique" conversions.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Looks a nice building based on the above image, but it's hardly unique. If it was in a decent state of repair or would be fairly easily restored I could see a flat in said building being very desirable. But if it's basically a wreck there's probably not much point. West Yorkshire needs more affordable homes, not yet more "boutique" conversions.

Completely agree.

If we save everything we risk harming our future simply to preserve the past. West Yorkshire is full of historic building conversions that are unaffordable.

In my opinion this station is nothing special over and above other similar buildings already superbly restored and saved. Progress is unfortunately progress and this is one reason we have heritage railways.

 

[John Webb]

What would the estimated annual maintenance bill to ensure the large former station was kept in good order, had the existing tenants departed and no-one else took over the site. Who, in that case, would be responsible for such payments?

If a listed building then the local council and/or Historic England can either compel the owners to do sufficient repairs to stop the deterioration, or do it themselves and send the owner the bill.
If not a listed building (and this station building doesn't appear to be listed) then there is little that anyone can do.

 

[Richard_B]

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co....ailway_station_site_earmarked_for_apartments/

Former railway station site earmarked for apartments
The Windhill Old Station site

A PROMINENT site in Windhill could soon be used for housing if a new planning application is successful.

Hart Woods Developments has applied to Bradford Council for permission to redevelop the Windhill Old Station site, off Leeds Road, into apartments.

Although the plans are only in the outline stages, to determine if housing is a suitable use for the site, the application is for up to 60 apartments.

The most prominent building on the site is the old station building, and although the plans are only in the outline stages, they hint that the building would not be part of the site’s future.

The land is currently used by a wooden decking company, but the application says this business is looking to expand by moving to a new location.

The old building was the former terminus of a defunct line, built in the 1870s and shut in the 1930s. A heritage statement in the application says the building is in poor condition, and adds: “There are no English Heritage listings and no reference to any need to retain the building and there is no specific description of the historic importance of any part of the buildings or a specific use.

“There is therefore no need to retain any features of the buildings or the building itself.”

The application adds: “The scheme design recognises the issues that face the development of the site and the huge potential to ‘make a difference.’

“It’s vital to vision what the area will become, rather than to be hamstrung by what it might be today.

“The proposals have been developed to give the site some identity and to provide a ‘presence’ and a ‘place setting’ which will lift the site from its humble beginnings.”

West Yorkshire Police have been consulted on the plans, and Lisa Reardon, Bradford District Crime Prevention Design Advisor, has responded saying they support the application, but adding: “I do think it’s a shame that the existing building cannot be retained / renovated and somehow built into the scheme, as it has so much character and charm.”

Councillor Vanda Greenwood (Lab, Windhill and Wrose), said: “At the moment it is in the early stages, they are just asking for permission to build on the site.

“There is a lot of re-generation going on that is improving the area around Leeds Road, and hopefully any development at this site will add to this.”

Council officers have suggested that if 60 flats are built, the developer should contribute £102,756 to help provide extra school places in the area and a £26,000 contribution to local recreation facilities.

A decision will be made in October.

Shipley and Windhill railway station operated between 1875 and 1931. During the 1860s, two small railway companies were formed to promote suburban railways in Bradford, the Bradford, Eccleshill and Idle Railway and the Idle and Shipley Railway.

The line was open to goods traffic in 1874, and to passengers the next year. Passenger service ended in 1931, and the station closed. Goods traffic continued on the whole line until 1964 and as far as Idle until 1968.
6 comments

Would love to know how the very precise figure of £102,756 was arrived at..

 

[HowardGWR]

In Dock Lane, to the east, I espied what looks like the abutments of the bridge that crossed the lane. It must have been a very low affair, only high enough above the roadway to allow a horse and cart or cyclist - if that.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.835...4!1s3CFQVeIRJG4iBjdWzhVQ8Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Hope that works

 

[thejuggler]

Would love to know how the very precise figure of £102,756 was arrived at..

Its from a formula based on the number of new residential units to be built with with 2 or more bedrooms and the impact this will have on primary and secondary school places.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If not a listed building (and this station building doesn't appear to be listed) then there is little that anyone can do.

The reason that I saw as being a problem, is the number of buildings in Britain with seemingly no known owners, that being left unattended seem to immediately attract those elements in society who seem to feel graffiti is theirs to adorn at will, the use of such buildings as drinking dens or worse and in some cases, a target for arsonists.

I am sure that website members can recollect this happening to buildings in their area.

 

[Ploughman]

Is this the old "Sooty Museum"?

 

[bluenoxid]

No. That was Windhill Manor nearby

 

[superkev]

Nice if the developer could be persuaded to move the structure to a deserving preserved railway.
K