Bradford Council has justified its choice to dispose of a caravan park following backlash from Conservative members of the authority.
The local authority faced scrutiny from Bradford Conservatives over plans to sell Dobrudden Farm Caravan Park in Baildon, a site overseen by the Lawrence family for seven decades.
Conservative councillor David Ford, representing Baildon, expressed strong reservations about the council’s approach to asset disposal.
While acknowledging the council’s need to generate funds through property sales, Ford challenged the officers’ interpretation of best consideration.
He highlighted the family’s long-standing management and positive community relationships, suggesting alternative criteria for evaluating the site’s potential sale.
Council officers indicated that understanding existed regarding the profound sense of injustice felt by those operating the business across generations.
Concerns were also raised about the wellbeing of the approximately one hundred individuals residing at the establishment, who face uncertainty about their future circumstances.
Councillors expressed hope that any transition would cause minimal upheaval for those living at the site.
A council representative explained that the property operates under a commercial tenancy protected by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
The occupant had sought a new lease, which the council did not oppose.
The sole consequence of disposal would be the replacement of the council as the landlord.
Legal protections afforded to the tenant’s business would remain intact under the same legislation.
The proprietors first became aware of the council’s intention to sell the freehold through reporting by the Telegraph and Argus in February 2024.
Despite submitting an offer to acquire the property outright, their bid was unsuccessful after another party presented a superior proposal, even though council officers had initially recommended acceptance of their terms.
The matter was referred back to officers following a Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on July 30, where members declined to overturn the original decision.
Officers subsequently proceeded with the sale to the party offering the highest price.