Plan to convert estate agents where PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot
The former travel agents where PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead while responding to a robbery could be converted into a restaurant under new plans. PC Beshenivsky was murdered outside the Universal Express travel agents in Morley Street, Bradford, in 2005.A planning application submitted to Bradford Council said the site had since "carried a stain" due to its association to the crime. The applicant hoped converting the property into a fully-refurbished restaurant would "remove the stigma" from the building.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the site has fallen into a state of disrepair, with roof tiles missing, gutters overflowing and the shopfront rotting away.Little detail has been revealed about what type of restaurant the business would be, but the application by R Moghul said it would open between 09:00 and 23:00.
A memorial stone marking the spot where PC Beshenivsky was shot stands in front of the unit.Last year, Piran Ditta Khan, the last member of the gang responsible for the armed raid that claimed her life, was sentenced to life in prison.He was the last of seven men involved in the robbery to be convicted after spending almost 15 years on the run. He died in prison earlier this year.The application said: "The property previously traded as a travel and money transfer agent, prior to an unfortunate incident in November 2005."The site has since struggled to operate and has carried with it a stain which reflects these events."
It said Morley Street was "bustling" due to other developments and the former travel agents remained an "eyesore". To prevent anti-social behaviour and squatting, chipboards were put up to prevent ingress into the building.The rotting timber shopfront would be replaced with anthracite grey aluminium under the proposal."These efforts are in a bid to move away from the tired outlook of the building," the applicant said."The proposed change of use would bring a derelict building back into use. The stigma attached to the building will be removed."A decision on the application is expected next month.
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