Work on new housing development in Bingley begins
It's after no evidence of a medieval castle on the site was found
WORK has begun on a £23m housing development in Bingley after a developer said there was no evidence of a Medieval castle on the site.
Last year Bradford Council granted planning permission for a housing development on the Coolgardie Farm site at Crossflatts.
The development, by Avant Homes West Yorkshire, would see the construction of 93 homes, and is expected to cost £23.2m.
But the approval came with an odd condition – that the developers carry out an archaeological study of the site to see if there was any evidence of a medieval castle.
One of the consultants to the plan, West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service, said there was some evidence there was once a medieval castle in the area.
Centuries-old maps of the area refer to a “Bailey Hill” (a bailey is the outer courtyard of a castle) near the site of the planned homes.
And the land to the north and north west of Coolgardie Farm has long been known as “Castle Fields”.
Bradford Council placed a condition on the approval that the developers would have to carry out an archaeological study of the site to see if there was any evidence of a castle.
Work on the site has now started, and developers have told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that no evidence of a castle or any other medieval structure was found on the site.
A spokesman said:
“Our consultants carried out a thorough archaeological evaluation of the site which involved excavating ten trenches at various locations across it.
“During the excavations no evidence of a medieval castle or associated activity, or any other type of archaeology, was encountered.”
Work on the site began earlier this month, and the completed development will be known as Five Rise Quarter.
The first residents are expected to move in in spring 2026.
The site is off Keighley Road, and near Bingley Grammar School.
Avant Homes West Yorkshire managing director, Richard Hosie, said: “The development will deliver a range of practically designed, energy efficient new homes for a range of buyers looking to move in or to Bingley.
“Bingley’s excellent location to nearby countryside and being within commuting distance to both Leeds and Bradford make it a great place to call home.”