CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn a carpet showroom in Little Horton into an education centre are likely to be refused by Bradford Council over concerns it would cause dangerous traffic problems and conflict with neighbours.

The application, for the conversion of 53 - 57 Beckside Road from furniture showroom to education centre goes before the council's Bradford planning panel on Tuesday. The council has already recieved two petitions against the application, with a total of 85 signatures, claiming the centre would cause traffic chaos on the busy road and imact the amenity of those that live nearby.

And council highways officers have echoed their concerns, saying the centre will create conditions that are "prejudicial to pedestrian and highway safety."

Submitted by Abdul Rahim, the application says that the new centre would mainly teach women and children, and offer a variety of homework classes where a number of subjects are taught. It says: "It includes a homework group for children that are struggling with key subjects such as English, maths and science. Also for both children and adults language courses will be on offer."

The application says the centre would open from 10.15am to 8pm, seven days a week, and claims the majority of people attending would be local - meaning there would be few extra car journeys to the building, which has just four off street

Despite numerous objections to the application, the plans do have their supporters and the council has recieved several letters of support calling it a "wonderful project" and that it would make a positive impact on the area.

The report that will be given to councillors casts doubt on the claim that the vast majority of visitors will ditch their cars and walk to the centre. It says: "Beckside Road is a busy distributor road which already experiences significant congestion at peak times." Officers point out that parking for neighbouring houses is on terraced street is limited, adding: "The proposal will result in a conflict between residents and visiting members of the public for these spaces."

The report suggests the application be refused because of the traffic problems and the potential disruption to neighbours.

It also reveals that one supporter of the scheme has claimed his signature was forged in one of the petitions, but the report says: "The council can only take representations at face value."

The panel meets at Bradford City Hall at 10am.