Garden centre among proposal for Dews site

Proposals have been submitted for the development of four shopping units on the Dews Motor Group site, on Bradford Road, that will see the current buildings demolished and the car dealership relocating to another site in Calderdale.

The plans have been put forward by Leeds planning agents Colliers International on behalf of Gregory Property Group, who built the Broad Street Plaza complex in Halifax.

Miranda Steadman, senior planner from Colliers International, said in the application: “The proposed development will result in a net increase in employment opportunities as the proposed use of the site for four retail units will also seek new staff from the local catchment area for their stores.

“Whilst the buildings are well maintained, they have been constructed and added to over the years and are not therefore uniform in appearance and look aged.

“They do not meet the present needs of the motor dealership.

“In this context, we have looked separately at the large unit and then the three smaller units. The large unit is expected to be a predominantly bulky goods discount retailer: full details are expected to be able to be disclosed after submission and further details to supplement this assessment will be provided.

“It is expected that it will be possible to define areas for sale of ancillary goods such as indoor and outdoor toys, camping goods and stationery, toiletries and or health and beauty consumable products, food/drink /confectionary sold at ambient temperature and clothing and or baby goods.

“In addition, the unit is proposed to have a garden centre .”

The development will also include 90 car parking spaces, of which five are proposed for disabled motorists and eight as parent and child spaces.

Colliers International has also said the proposals incorporate measures to enhance the beck and wildlife corridor.

Before the plans were submitted, letters were sent to the 45 dwellings opposite the application site on Bradford Road and to the ward councillors to consult with them and raise any issues they may have.

“We believe that the various technical documents address the majority of the concerns while others, such as potential impacts on residential amenity during construction and operation, could be addressed by appropriate conditions should planning permission be granted,” Ms Steadman said.