Mass objections to plans for up to 1,000 homes on farmland

Pictured above are five of the Silsden residents who are spearheading a campaign to stop houses being built on farmland near Swartha.They are (left to right) Sue Grimley, Jim Grimley, Caroline Whitaker, Janet Russell and Cathy Liddle.The proposals, detailed in my blog of July 17th, have attracted nearly 300 objections, ranging from the impact on already stretched local services to destruction of a loved landscape and habitat concerns. The dry-stone wall in the photograph is on the route of a proposed 'enabling road'. Bradford council is currently reviewing its housing-land allocations. Potentially the targets across the metropolitan district could be reduced by up to a third.

The proposed 'enabling road' will run from Bolton Road on the stretch towards the reservoir, cross Brown Bank Lane below Raikes House Farm and go through fields to Hawber Cote Lane, where Silsden's new primary school is to be built. The photograph above shows ancient Brown Bank Lane around 1906. Up until the early 1800s it had been the main road to Ilkley. 

The same stretch of Brown Bank Lane today showing the stables next to Raikes House Farm in the vicinity where the proposed new road will cut across.

The proposed new road will end here, in Hawber Cote Lane. The farm gate at the end of the pavement on the right is at the entrance to the field where the new school will be built.

Meanwhile, Skipton Properties has acquired fields on the west side of Bolton Road but the house-builder is tight-lipped about how much land it has bought and what its plans are. Sales, marketing and design director Caroline Verity says it is too early to answer my questions. "We aren't in a position to share a plan as a full plan hasn't been formulated yet," she said.

I was trying to find out if Skipton Properties had purchased the same Bolton Road land for which outline planning permission has already been granted for up to 62 homes. Approval was given by a government-appointed inspector in December 2015 after Geoffrey Mountain appealed against Bradford council's decision to refuse permission. The 2.5-hectare appeal site comprised two fields bounded by Nab View, Townhead Farm, the Rotary Works premises of Airedale Factors and Bolton Road as shown in my two photographs. 

On the other side of town, Barratt Homes are proceeding with their Saxon Dene development of more than 200 houses in Belton Road. This view looks up towards Spring Crag and Alder Carr woods. The 6.7-hectare Belton Road housing site made headlines last year when archaeologists, called in by Barratts, uncovered a burial chamber from 5,000-4,500 years ago. The dig will be the subject of a talk by the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service to the Silsden Local History Group on October 22nd (Silsden Methodist Church, 7pm).

A view from Spring Crag and Alder Carr woods of Barratts' Saxon Dene building site in Belton Road.

New towpath means a new direction for wheelchair users

The newly surfaced canal towpath between Riddlesden and Silsden is giving motorised-wheelchair users a new dimension to going out independently. My following report and pictures show the official opening of the improved towpath.

Walkers, riders and runners benefit from towpath upgrade

Councillor Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's transport committee, cuts the tape to open the upgraded stretch of canal towpath between Lodge Hill Bridge at Riddlesden and the Keighley Road bridge at Silsden. The 2.7km  route has been newly surfaced as part of a £2.9 million scheme by the authority to  improve cycling and walking access to four canals. Also present at the ceremony at Silsden on August 18th were Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Ali, who is pictured on the left holding the tape, Keighley MP John Grogan, fourth from left, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways, and Silsden Town Mayor Councillor Peter Robinson (fifth from left).

Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Ali is pictured with Bradford councillor Rebecca Whitaker, of Silsden, who represents the Craven ward, Bradford council cycling champion Councillor Taj Salam (left), who is a member of the Combined Authority's transport committee, and Satwant Singh, who cycled from Bradford for the official opening. A super-fit cyclist, he has biked the 127 miles of the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath among the hundreds of miles he covers each year.

The event, which included information stalls and refreshments, was well supported by community groups and residents.

An absorbed angler: not everyone was caught up in the canal-side buzz at the official opening, which included music by the Hall Royd Brass Band from Shipley, which stepped in because the Silsden Town Band was engaged elsewhere.

Many Hands celebrate first anniversary of community crafting

The Many Hands crafting co-operative at No. 25 Kirkgate celebrated its first anniversary on August 1st. Pictured above are five of the Community Interest Company's seven directors. Standing are Janet Phillis (left) and Pauline Marshall. Seated left to right are Rachel Mellor, Janet Thomas and Kath Cole.

Many Hands, which has an open-door policy based on community involvement, rents shelf space to a wide variety of crafts people from within a 15-miles radius of Silsden to sell their work. Volunteers staff the shop.The not-for-profit company has been awarded lottery funding to expand its workshops, classes and mentoring service.

The popularity of Many Hands reflects a growing "experience" culture and a trend towards unique, hand-crafted, hand-made gifts and wares.

These distinctive mugs and coasters are produced by local artist Martin Williamson.

Craftwork on sale and or taught in classes includes crocheting and knitting, jewellery, floristry, silver and metal work, embroidery, pottery and wood turning. There are also informal social drop-in groups. "Our aim is to work with the local community and to offer something for everyone," says chairperson Kath Cole. "We are going from strength to strength." 

Silsden's Equilibrium nails a place in Beauty Salon of the Year regional finals

Equilibrium times four: Silsden salon owner Sarah Wilkinson (third from left) is pictured with her team of beauty-treatment specialists (left to right) Viki Heaps, Samantha North and Mandy Foxworthy. Equilibrium Aesthetics, Beauty & Nails, of Kirkgate, which Sarah started in 2016, is a finalist in the North West 'Boutique Salon of the Year' contest run by the trade magazine Professional Beauty.

The salon offers an extensive suite of high-end treatments covering nails, eyes, facials, tanning, holistics, waxing/threading, electrolysis and laser tattoo removal. Clinics for anti-wrinkle injectables and dermal fillers are also available. The fashion for beauty treatments has been driven by celebrities and the pulling power of Instagram and other social media. According to the trade magazine, the industry nationally employs 300,000 people and generates £7 billion in revenue.

The modern face of Kirkgate: Equilibrium at No 86 (pictured last year) is proving popular with women of all ages. Pedicures are particularly in demand in summer  while nails and facials generally top the list of treatments. About 5% of the clients are men. The winners of the regional awards will be announced in October. The awards champion the industry's best practitioners.