Retrospective plans for modern shop fronts are refused

An application to retain the frontages and signage on 5,9, and 11 Westgate were refused by Bradford Council, with a Conservation Officer saying they detracted from the building.

The units used to have traditional timber shop fronts with recessed doorways, but these have been replaced with aluminium frontages.

The original shopfronts as they appeared in 2009 (Image: Google)

The application was submitted by Ibrahim Sidat, and a very brief heritage statement included with the application said: “The proposal takes into account the external appearance and demonstrates the balance being created by the visual impact on shop front.

“The style of installed shop fronts is keeping within the host property and its surroundings.”

Conservation Officer Jon Ackroyd described the property in which the shop fronts lie as a “fine and important building in the conservation area” adding: “The ground floor shopfronts generally are not consistent with the quality of the elevations above.

The building on Westgate (Image: T&A)

“They cause harm and a visual disconnect between the public level appearance and the architectural quality above.

“The strident fascia signage, materials and general appearance have detracted from the building, and caused harm to the City Centre Conservation Area.

“There is no offsetting public benefit.

“The replacement of shopfronts presented an opportunity to enhance the conservation area, which has been ignored.”