Toilets in Bronte village to become estate agents

A disused public toilet block in a Brontë Country village is to be converted into an estate agent's office after plans were approved.

The former conveniences on Station Road in Cullingworth have stood empty for several years after being closed by Bradford Council as part of wider cuts to public facilities.

Cullingworth Village Council objected to the proposal, warning that a planned modern glass frontage could harm the character of the village's Conservation Area.

However, planning officers at Bradford Council approved the scheme and said it would support a small business and bring the building back into active use.

The village is just three miles (4.8km) from Haworth, famously associated with the Brontë sisters, who lived and wrote much of their work in the surrounding area.

The application by Tiffin Venue Management proposed turning the building into a small office with a glazed shopfront.

Plans stated the development would "support the vitality of the village centre" while improving the "day-to-day surveillance of this part of the Conservation Area".

Documents submitted with the application said the design would retain the existing stone and slate materials while adding an "active and well-presented frontage".

The parish council acknowledged the need to find a new purpose for the vacant site, but raised concerns over the potential impact on surrounding heritage assets.

It highlighted the building's position between the Grade II-listed Curtis Court, formerly Cullingworth Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, and The George pub, both within the Conservation Area.

Councillors said a full-height glass front framed in aluminium would appear out of keeping with nearby historic buildings.

They argued such a design, potentially used to display property listings, would be "detrimental to the character".

However, council planning officers concluded the proposed change of use was acceptable and in line with policies encouraging small-scale economic development.

Granting permission, they said local authorities should take a "positive and constructive approach" to such applications.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service conditions attached to the approval include restricted opening hours, from 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays, with no opening permitted on Sundays.

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