Current Projects
The Old First School Site: a site to be protected for nature and the community
Update Feb 9th 2026
There has been little progress on this project. We believe it is Bradford Council’s intention to sell part of the site for housing and have been advised to monitor the Pugh Property Auction website to check when or whether the site appears as a lot on the list for sale.
2024
In response to Bradford Council’s consultation on housing allocation in early 2021, the Environment Group strongly opposed development on the Old First School site (AD5/H Chapel St.). More than two years later and with forthcoming decisions on preferred housing sites in the village by Bradford Council in mind, AEG again raised its concerns about the future of the site.
Using the good offices of Ward Councillors Caroline Whitaker and Janet Russell AEG established that Bradford Council were not willing to consider a proposal for a Community Asset Transfer. In an email to Councillor Whitaker dated 20th July 2023), BMDC stated:
“The subject land is considered valuable and is earmarked for disposal. Colleagues in the disposals team are to shortly commission a masterplan for the site to establish the possibilities. The community asset transfer policy sets outs that the council will not consider applications for community asset transfer where the asset is identified as having a significant capital receipt. Unfortunately, we therefore cannot consider a proposal for a community asset transfer at this time”
Following receipt of this email AEG approached the Civic Society and the Parish Council to seek support instead for a proposal to apply for the site to be listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The application was submitted by the Parish Clerk, Emma Sutcliffe on 18th April 2024.
Unfortunately, this proposal was also rejected. The BMDC Senior Estates Surveyor, Tom Harte, emailed Ward Councillors Russell and Whitaker on June 17th, 2024 to say “…we felt that the nomination could not demonstrate that there is a current non-ancillary use that furthers the social interests or social wellbeing of the local community.”
The site is now on a list of Bradford assets to be considered for disposal. The latest communication from BMDC to our Parish Council (dated October 1st 2024) informs the Council that advice is being sought on the market value of the site prior to a decision about its sale.
Click here to see the Environment Group’s 2021 comments about the site
Click here to see the application for Asset of Community Value application
Click here to see the site map
Click here to see the BMDC decision notice
Click here to see the BMDC full report
Hoffman Wood Field
Update Feb 9th 2026
At their Meeting in November 2025 the Parish Council fully supported a proposal to develop Hoffman Wood Field for nature-friendly children’s play. Councillors were impressed by the design ideas presented at the meeting by Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) landscape architects.
Funding will be a two-step process, with approximately £5,000 needed to fund the creation of a design by YDMT, and then a much larger figure to fund the implementation of the plan, assuming there is a consensus within the village to proceed. This initial design stage includes detailed site mapping, consultation meetings with village groups (especially youth groups and local residents) and the production of a detailed implementation plan with costs.
The Parish Council is taking the lead, and fund raising for this first step is already underway with £1500 (including £500 from the Beer Festival) pledged so far. We are hoping that the remaining funds can be raised over the next few months so that YDMT will be able to start work in spring this year (see below for more background).
2024
The will of Mr Hoffman Wood, dated 21st May 1931, bequested funds to acquire and manage a piece of land in Addingham “for the purpose of providing a playground for the children in that neighbourhood”.
Currently the only formal use of Hoffmann Wood Field that directly benefits children are the cricket nets, although it was once used as the village football field.
It is the least used public green space in the village, judging from the survey carried out for the village Neighbourhood Plan some years ago, and it is also the least biodiverse space judging from AEG’s Bee and Butterfly transect surveys.
At its meeting on June 10th CAA gave its backing to a proposal to improve the field both for nature and as amenity for children with a recommendation to start the process by holding a village wide consultation. Click here to see the proposal.
The proposal was submitted to the Parish Council for approval. However, at its meeting on October 16th, 2024 it was decided to withhold approval until a meeting could be held to determine whether the Parish Council itself or the Trustees appointed by the Parish Council were the competent authority to respond. A meeting to discuss the proposal with the Trustees is to be arranged by the Parish Clerk
Restoring Mill Stream
Update Feb 9th 2026
Yorkshire Water’s work to build new larger stormwater tanks at Low Mill is on schedule for completion by March 31st this year. Although the position of the overflow outfall into Mill Stream will not be changed YW are committed to removing the sludge that has accumulated along the bed of the stream over the last few decades. We are hoping that this will lead to an ecological restoration of the channel.
Update 9th Dec. 2024
Yorkshire Water have now agreed that the sludge needs to be removed and are seeking estimates for the work from potential contractors
Although Addingham’s sewage is normally pumped down to Ilkley for treatment in wet weather the Pumping Station at Low Mill frequently exceeds its capacity and discharges untreated sewage into the Mill Stream. The sewage escapes only slowly into the Wharfe as it is backed up by the narrow culvert under Old Lane close to the junction with the Old Ilkley Road. Although this is currently permitted by the Environment Agency the permit needs urgent review. Sewage sludge has accumulated in the Mill Stream over the years and now presents a health and safety hazard. CAA is campaigning for Yorkshire Water to stop its discharges, remove the sludge and restore the stream. For further details click here.
The Wharfedale Greenway
Update Feb 9th 2026
Councillors from both Addingham and Ilkley have now walked the proposed route along the Dalesway together and have reported that all landowners, except one, along the route are in favour. The project also has the support of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and a business case to advance the footpath upgrade to bridleway status is expected later this year.
Update 9th December 2024
Parish Councillors Jonathan Walsh and Chris Cobley have been appointed to the Ilkley Town Council working group.
The Wharfedale Greenway is a proposed 13 mile traffic-free route for walking, cycling and horse-riding from Pool-in-Wharfedale to Bolton Bridge via Otley, Burley, Ilkley and Addingham.
Town and Parish Councils together with Local Authorities and Sustrans are working together to plan the project.
The route is being planned in sections. The section from Ilkley to Addingham and onwards to Bolton Abbey is one of the most difficult to plan. The Parish Council is represented on the Planning Group supported by CAA. The process involves identifying route options, agreeing a preferred route, undertaking detailed route investigation, compiling all of the documents needed for a planning application, applying for planning permission, detailed design work, compiling a business case, and then applying for funding.
https://friendsofwharfedalegreenway.org.uk/the-wharfedale-greenway/
Rainwater Harvesting
Feb 9th 2026
Following the intense summer droughts we have experienced in recent years we are strongly supporting the AA and GA’s initiative to source 1000 litre water bowsers and install them on the Lower Stamp Hill allotment, allowing them to be filled by rainwater runoff from the roof of the PC container now on site. We are planning a launch event in the summer. Using this as an example we will then be encouraging all householders in the village to harvest rainwater in water butts for use on window boxes, outdoor pot plants, gardens instead of tap water.
Church Orchard
Feb 9th 2026
A church orchard group has been formed to manage the fruit trees along with the land associated with the Orchard. The plan is for this wonderful site created and so ably managed by the late Derek Law to become more open to the public. It is hoped there will be a series of open days through the year to celebrate the orchard, showcase environmental projects and host community events.
Community energy
Feb 9th 2026
AEG’s zero carbon lead, Peter Haigh, is reviewing our work in the village on home energy efficiency and solar panel installation. He is seeking to build on these initiatives with a view to developing a community solar project and an outreach project that helps residents make cost-effective decisions in choosing energy suppliers and supply contracts. We will be making his report available here on our website in due course.
