A SHOPPING centre will be expanded, with new shops and apartments built on an existing car park area.

Bradford Council has granted planning permission for the construction for four new shop units, and eight, three bedroom flats above them at the front of the Fieldhead Shopping Centre on Legrams Lane.

The application, by BNP Paribas Securities Services Trust Company had said the flats would likely be occupied by students.

The shopping centre is home to Haqs supermarket, a beauty store and several take aways.

Planners say the new shops can open between 7am and 10pm.

They said the development would not effect the setting of a nearby listed building, the former Interfaith Centre just 80 metres away, as that Grade II listed building is in the process of being demolished.