THE return of the Bradford Bulls to Odsal stadium will “lift the spirit of the city” and has been heralded as a “massive boost” to the local economy. Yesterday morning it was announced the Bulls will be returning to their spiritual home this Sunday (3pm) against local rivals York City Knights in front of a restricted 4,000 capacity. It has been almost 21 months since the red, amber and black outfit last graced the turf at the 88-year-old stadium, of which they were tenants for 90% of that time. Although it has not only been the players and supporters who have missed activity at the ‘Old Lady’, but local businesses too.
The site of the planned homes BRADFORD Council has been urged to block any plans for homes in an area of Keighley until traffic issues at a notorious bridge are resolved. At a recent meeting of the Council s Regulatory and Appeals Committee members were discussing plans to build 41 new homes in the Long Lee area. Among the concerns raised by objectors and local Councillors were traffic congestion at the Coney Lane bridge, the main route between Long Lee and Keighley town centre. They argued that numerous new developments in Long Lee would add more traffic to this route, which is already regularly congested throughout the day and has been the site of numerous accidents, often involving HGVs or large vehicles.
And one objector to the scheme said the decision doesn t inspire my confidence in local democracy. An application to build over 40 homes on a field next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal, known as the Willows, was refused by members of Bradford Council s Regulatory and Appeals Committee last year. Members felt that the vehicle access to the site, off Hainsworth Road, was inadequate to support a housing estate of this size. Applicant Mick Smith appealed that decision, but his appeal was dismissed by a planning inspector last Summer. However - that decision did not prove to be the victory for objectors they may have originally thought it was.