CONTROVERSIAL plans to use part of a former tram sheds site in Bradford for a waste tyre disposal site have been thrown out by Council planners, much to residents' delight.

People living near the site in Leeds Road, Thornbury, objected to the partly-retrospective permission to use a section of the site for baling tonnes of waste tyres.

The firm Jack's Tyres, which already operates on the site, made the application and the plans would have seen it working in conjunction with tyre fitters Zee Tyres, which already has planning permission.

One resident Joolz Denby, who objected to the scheme, had previously said she would have to move home if planners approved the scheme.

She used social media to express her thanks and gratitude at the decision.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! The People win for once!" she tweeted. "Sincere thanks go to @bradfordmdc @WestYorksPolice @West_Yorks_FRS for helping stop #BD3 #tyredump. Residents are extremely grateful."

Under the plans, the business would have been developed by creating an 18 metre by 32 metre compound, which would have its own steel fencing and would store up to ten tonnes of used tyres.

The plans to expand the business were first submitted in May, but then withdrawn to include a turning area and tyre-baling machine not included in the original proposals.

The re-submitted plans state that waste tyres would be brought on to the site before being baled into blocks and removed by an articulated lorry four times a week.

Zee Tyres’ Zee Hussain, spoke previously on behalf of both firms, saying they had already obtained the relevant environmental licence to carry out the work on the site, and operated under environmental permitting regulations. He was yesterday unavailable for comment.

Ward Councillor Faisal Khan (Bradford Independent Group, Bradford Moor) added that small businesses were welcome, but that such a business was not suitable in a residential area.

"I concur with the residents," he said.

In turning down the application the Council cites four reasons:

* That the proposal fails to contribute positively to the character and quality of the area improve the street scene and visual amenity of the area;

* It is not safely accessible from the primary road network;

* That there is a fear of crime and the proposal would overall undermine the quality of life for residents; and,

* It has not been demonstrated that the noise from the development would not give rise to unacceptable adverse impacts on people and their environment.

A huge blaze swept through the yard in June forcing residents to flee their homes.

In a planning statement submitted as part of the application Baildon-based Fineline Architectural Design Ltd, makes reference to the fire, saying that the tyres involved in the fire were nothing to do with Jack's Tyres and that the two firms will store their tyres in a "safe and secure" manner "not readily open to arson attacks".

The site of the now-demolished tram sheds also houses a car sales pitch. Other parts of the site are used for a car park and hand car wash.