Current Projects
The Old First School Site: a site to be protected for nature and the community
In response to Bradford Council’s consultation on housing allocation in early 2021, the Environment Group strongly opposed development on the Old First School site (AD5/H Chapel St.). More than two years later and with forthcoming decisions on preferred housing sites in the village by Bradford Council in mind, AEG again raised its concerns about the future of the site.
Using the good offices of Ward Councillors Caroline Whitaker and Janet Russell AEG established that Bradford Council were not willing to consider a proposal for a Community Asset Transfer. In an email to Councillor Whitaker dated 20th July 2023), BMDC stated:
“The subject land is considered valuable and is earmarked for disposal. Colleagues in the disposals team are to shortly commission a masterplan for the site to establish the possibilities. The community asset transfer policy sets outs that the council will not consider applications for community asset transfer where the asset is identified as having a significant capital receipt. Unfortunately, we therefore cannot consider a proposal for a community asset transfer at this time”
Following receipt of this email AEG approached the Civic Society and the Parish Council to seek support instead for a proposal to apply for the site to be listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The application was submitted by the Parish Clerk, Emma Sutcliffe on 18th April 2024.
Unfortunately, this proposal was also rejected. The BMDC Senior Estates Surveyor, Tom Harte, emailed Ward Councillors Russell and Whitaker on June 17th, 2024 to say “…we felt that the nomination could not demonstrate that there is a current non-ancillary use that furthers the social interests or social wellbeing of the local community.”
The site is now on a list of Bradford assets to be considered for disposal. The latest communication from BMDC to our Parish Council (dated October 1st 2024) informs the Council that advice is being sought on the market value of the site prior to a decision about its sale.
Click here to see the Environment Group’s 2021 comments about the site
Click here to see the application for Asset of Community Value application
Click here to see the site map
Click here to see the BMDC decision notice
Click here to see the BMDC full report
Hofman Wood Field
The will of Mr Hofman Wood, dated 21st May 1931, bequested funds to acquire and manage a piece of land in Addingham “for the purpose of providing a playground for the children in that neighbourhood”.
Currently the only formal use of Hofmann Wood Field that directly benefits children are the cricket nets, although it was once used as the village football field.
It is the least used public green space in the village, judging from the survey carried out for the village Neighbourhood Plan some years ago, and it is also the least biodiverse space judging from AEG’s Bee and Butterfly transect surveys.
At its meeting on June 10th CAA gave its backing to a proposal to improve the field both for nature and as amenity for children with a recommendation to start the process by holding a village wide consultation. Click here to see the proposal.
The proposal was submitted to the Parish Council for approval. However, at its meeting on October 16th, 2024 it was decided to withhold approval until a meeting could be held to determine whether the Parish Council itself or the Trustees appointed by the Parish Council were the competent authority to respond. A meeting to discuss the proposal with the Trustees is to be arranged by the Parish Clerk
Restoring Mill Stream
Update 9th Dec. 2024: Yorkshire Water have now agreed that the sludge needs to be removed and are seeking estimates for the work from potential contractors
Although Addingham’s sewage is normally pumped down to Ilkley for treatment in wet weather the Pumping Station at Low Mill frequently exceeds its capacity and discharges untreated sewage into the Mill Stream. The sewage escapes only slowly into the Wharfe as it is backed up by the narrow culvert under Old Lane close to the junction with the Old Ilkley Road. Although this is currently permitted by the Environment Agency the permit needs urgent review. Sewage sludge has accumulated in the Mill Stream over the years and now presents a health and safety hazard. CAA is campaigning for Yorkshire Water to stop its discharges, remove the sludge and restore the stream. For further details click here.
The Wharfedale Greenway
Update 9th December 2024: Parish Councillors Jonathan Walsh and Chris Cobley have been appointed to the Ilkley Town Council working group.
The Wharfedale Greenway is a proposed 13 mile traffic-free route for walking, cycling and horse-riding from Pool-in-Wharfedale to Bolton Bridge via Otley, Burley, Ilkley and Addingham.
Town and Parish Councils together with Local Authorities and Sustrans are working together to plan the project.
The route is being planned in sections. The section from Ilkley to Addingham and onwards to Bolton Abbey is one of the most difficult to plan. The Parish Council is represented on the Planning Group supported by CAA. The process involves identifying route options, agreeing a preferred route, undertaking detailed route investigation, compiling all of the documents needed for a planning application, applying for planning permission, detailed design work, compiling a business case, and then applying for funding.
https://friendsofwharfedalegreenway.org.uk/the-wharfedale-greenway/
