Retrospective planning lodged for self-storage site

A self-storage facility next to a historic railway station has been operating without planning permission for nearly three years, it has emerged.

The site, made up of 60 shipping containers, opened on the yard next to the former Windhill railway station in Shipley September 2023, and is currently fully let to both businesses and individuals.

However, no planning permission for the development has ever been granted. Retrospective planning to retain the storage use has recently been submitted to Bradford Council, with a decision expected in October.

The application said the storage use reflects the site's history of storing and processing rail freight, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"The business has established itself as a successful local storage provider, with all 60 units currently occupied, demonstrating clear demand for this type of facility within the local area," the application said.

"The development makes efficient use of the existing hardstanding associated with the former railway goods yard without requiring additional buildings or significant engineering works.

"The existing Dock Lane access has operated successfully throughout the period of occupation without giving rise to known highway safety concerns."

The railway station off Leeds Road opened to freight trains in May 1874 and to passengers in January 1875.

Passenger services on the line ceased in 1931 and the passenger station closed, but goods traffic continued on the line until the 1960s.

In 2021 a planning application to convert the Victorian station into flats was approved - but the building currently remains in commercial use.

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