Plans have been approved for a carpet store in West Bowling, Bradford, to be turned into a madrassa, despite concerns from a nearby primary school.

Mohammed Tariq had asked Bradford Council for permission to turn Punjab Carpets in Ryan Street into a supplementary school. But objections had been received from Newby Primary School over traffic and parking.

The school had been used for religious education in the past before being converted into a shop in the late 1990s.

Planning officers have now approved the application, and asked for Mr Tariq to clearly mark out off-street parking spaces. Highways officers admit, however, that finding a space at Friday prayers would be “difficult” for visitors.

The madrassa will have three full-time and two-part time staff.