Abandoned Quarry Site Sparks Heated Debate Over 116 Proposed Homes

In October 2025, a developer has submitted plans to the Bradford Council to build 116 homes on a former quarry and brickworks site in Wyke, Bradford. This is the second time the developer, Gleeson Developments Ltd, has sought permission to build on the 3.25-hectare site, as a previous application was rejected due to concerns about the impact on biodiversity.

The new plans have already faced significant opposition, with more than 60 objections lodged by local residents. Nearby resident Linda Neal, a 54-year-old resource plan analyst, expressed her dismay at the proposals, stating that she and her neighbors had moved to the area for its quiet, peaceful atmosphere, which would be disrupted by the development.

The developer, however, argues that the site has been vacant since the early 2000s when the former clay workings closed, and that building on it would "help minimize the need to release land from the Green Belt." The site overlooks an area that includes some of Bradford's biggest employers, and the plans include a section of public open space with grassland and public paths.

Despite the developer's claims, local residents like Ms. Neal remain concerned about the impact the development would have on the area's wildlife, including foxes, deer, and birds of prey. They fear that the tranquility they have enjoyed in the area will be lost if the plans are approved.

A decision on the application is expected in the New Year, and the outcome will be closely watched by both the developer and the local community.