A DIY shopping warehouse and drive- through takeaway in Baildon could cause the area’s already clogged roads to get even worse, according to a local business and dozens of objectors.

Tomorrow, Bradford Council will decide whether to grant permission for a 2,480 square metre Wickes retail warehouse and a 328 square metre drive-through KFC on the site of the former Lower Holme Mill on Otley Road.

Planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval, despite objections over the impact on traffic.

The two new businesses would have 113 parking spaces and employ 45 full- time and 60 part-time staff.

Objectors say while the extra jobs would benefit the area, the traffic generated would impact road users way beyond Baildon.

Jack Pennington Ltd sells goods to contractors and building services and is based on Hird Street in Shipley. Andrea Simpson, one of the directors, objected to the plans on behalf of the company, arguing that no development of this size should be approved until local roads are sorted out.

She said: “The traffic is atrocious. The junction nearest to this site is notoriously bad, one of the worst in the area. I think it’s asking for trouble.

“You do need development and jobs, but first you need all the roads in place. It is putting the cart before the horse.

“A lot of our employees live in places like Baildon and Guisley and already their journeys that should take 10 to 15 minutes take between half an hour and 40 minutes because of traffic. If they sorted the traffic out, I wouldn’t have a problem whatsoever.”

Baildon councillor Val Townend will speak against the plan at tomorrow’s meeting. She said: “I am very, very concerned about the traffic this is going to generate. We have seen so much development recently, but no new infrastructure to go with it.”

If approved, applicants Commercial Development Projects will provide a 26- space car park for residents at Lower Holme and a “traffic signalised junction” at the entrance to the store. The Regulatory and Appeals Committee will discuss the application in City Hall, Bradford, at 10am tomorrow.