Plans to close of Bradford alleyway beset by "serious criminal activity" approved
The 11-metre-long alleyway next to the The Drum Winder pub, which links Ivegate and Tyrell Street, has become a hot spot of illegal and anti social activity in recent years.
PLANS to gate off a notorious city centre alleyway that “attracts serious criminal activity” have been approved.
But an ancient right of way will need to be extinguished before the Ivegate alleyway is finally closed off.
The 11-metre-long alleyway next to the The Drum Winder pub, which links Ivegate and Tyrell Street, has become a hot spot of illegal and anti social activity in recent years.
Just last week an 18-year-old man was stabbed in the alley, a crime police are still investigating.
In April a planning application to install art nouveau style wrought iron gates at either side of the passage was submitted by Bradford Council.
It said the alley had become a hot spot for crime, and that continued police call outs were becoming “unsustainable.”
The application has now been approved, as has listed building consent for the works.
But with the route being a public right of way, a separate legal process will now begin to extinguish this right of way.
It will only be when this is completed that the gates can be installed.
As well as multiple reports of drug dealing, police have been called out to reports of crimes including a rape and assault in the alley.
The planning application had said: “Over recent years the alleyway has attracted a significant amount of antisocial behaviour and serious criminal activity.
“Many of the crimes reported have been of a serious nature and have resulted in a significant number of visits by the police.
“This level of attendance is considered to be unsustainable given limited resources.
“The increase in crime has had a negative impact on the area and is considered to be hindering business growth in the area.
“The issues at this site as well beyond typical anti-social behaviour issues experienced by city centres.”
Conservation Officer Jon Ackroyd said: “Although the buildings flanking the alleyway both date from the later 19th century, the alleyway existed between the previous buildings on the sites, evidenced on the first Ordnance Survey map of the 1850s.
“Black painted steel gates are proposed which would prevent access to the alleyway. They are designed in such a way to be hung from independent steel posts, negating the need to be attached to the buildings.
“Although the gates would prevent movement through the alleyway which is a historic thoroughfare, they would not appear discordant visually.
“The impact would only result in very minor harm to the conservation area and would remain reversible. The harm is regarded as being balanced by the public benefit in reducing anti-social activity.”
Approving the plans, officers said: “The proposal is intended to improve public safety, reduce crime and support the continued operation of surrounding businesses by addressing long-standing management issues associated with the site.
“Having regard to the identified public benefits, the principle of the development is acceptable.”
Referring to the loss of the public right of way, officers said: “A suitable alternative pedestrian route is available via Ivegate, Tyrrel Street and Queensgate, resulting in a diversion of approximately 100m.
“On balance and having regard to the public safety benefits of the scheme, the proposal is considered acceptable in highways and access terms, subject to any separate legal processes required in respect of the public right of way.”
Plans to close off the alley date back five years. In 2021 police had suggested the route could be closed off to the public in a bid to stop crime.
But there was a backlash to the scheme, with concerns over blocking off a section of an historic public street.
The proposals then went quiet ahead of the new application submitted in April.
There had been no objections to this fresh application.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked West Yorkshire Police for an update on the stabbing in the alley on August 18.
A spokesperson said: “The investigation remains ongoing and we continue to appeal for witnesses.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information which may assist the investigation, is asked to contact Bradford CID by calling 101 or go online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat quoting log reference 1402 of 18/08.
“Information can also be provided to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”