The site that was earmarked for the cemetery
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new cemetery on green belt land near Wilsden have been withdrawn.
The proposals – for a site in Old Allen Road, between Thornton and Wilsden – were due to be debated by Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee on Thursday (January 20).
But the applicant, Amar Hussain, withdrew the planning application just days before the meeting.
He was seeking permission for a multi-faith cemetery with 1,000 burial spaces, a ‘garden of tranquility’ and car parking for 35 vehicles.
The scheme attracted over 650 objections and planning officers had recommended it be refused.
A number of concerns were raised, including increased traffic levels.
Highways chiefs feared that vehicles would overspill from the site and put safety at risk.
A report said: “The site is in a remote, rural location and it is most likely all attendees would travel by car.
“Old Allen Road and all roads in this vicinity are rural/semi-rural, with no footways or street lighting.”
It was also claimed the development would be inappropriate for the green belt and out of keeping with the Thornton and Queensbury Landscape Character Area.
Mr Hussain said there were few non-green-belt sites in the district suitable for new cemeteries.
