A RARE Second World War pillbox on a new Steeton housing estate could become a heritage attraction. A planning application has been submitted to carry out work on the historic building to make it safe and preserve it for future generations. The two-storey brick structure – said to be one of only four in the UK – lies in one of the fields being used by Redrow Homes for a housing development off Thornhill Road. The pillbox, near the site of the former Steeton munitions factory, was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage in 2010. The planning application, submitted to Bradford Council last month, covers the cleaning of interiors and exteriors, both for the pillbox and nearby fire posts. Shuttering would be installed on the door and window openings to make the building safe for the general public, and information boards recommended by the Heritage Statement would be installed. In 2010, English Heritage also listed nearby single-storey pillboxes that lie nearby. All three were built as defences for the village’s Royal Ordnance Factory and manned by a factory-based Home Guard unit. The site was used by American director, John Schlesinger, to shoot scenes for the 1979 film Yanks, charting life on a US army base and in the nearby English community. When housing was proposed for the site almost a decade ago, Keighley and District Local History Society campaigned to ensure the two-storey pillbox was retained.
A planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council concerning a rare Second World War pillbox, standing in part of Redrow Homes’ Thornhill Road development. The application includes cleaning the pillbox - one of four left in the UK, according to reports - fitting shutters on doors and windows to make the property safe for the public, and erecting information boards. The pillbox was deemed a Grade II-listed building in 2010 by English Heritage.