Care home plans approved on 'neglected' town site

Plans to build a care home on a site plagued by vandalism and anti-social behaviour have been approved.

The former Holmewood Resource Centre in Keighley had been vacant since 2013 before being pulled down in 2022 and was a "visible reminder of the failure of the previous care facility" there, said developers.

Harbourdale Capital plans to build a new 73-bed facility in its place which will also include a lounge, bistro, cafe, cinema and beauty space.

The project will cater for the area's "growing and ageing population" and also create 80 jobs in the town once it opens, it added.

Using previously developed sites would also reduce pressure to build on protected areas such as Greenbelt land.

However, one condition of the approval was that work would have to begin within three years, or the planning permission would expire, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Referring to the state of site, the plans submitted to Bradford Council said: "The existing care home has not operated since 2013 and had attracted anti-social behaviour, fallen into disrepair and suffered extensive vandalism.

"Re-using previously developed land is also a requirement of national policy.

"Removing this currently run-down and neglected site from the street scene will secure a major benefit in the wider area."

Bradford Council's planning officers approved the scheme.

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