Controversial plans to open an amusement arcade in the heart of Shipley have squeezed past planners.

Teddy Clark Ltd's application to turn an empty shop in Market Square into an amusement centre filled with fruit machines had been recommended for approval by Bradford Council's planning officers.

But members of the council's Shipley area planning committee were divided on the issue with three in approval and three against

But the development - which is expected to create eight full-time jobs but has yet to gain a licence to operate - got the nod thanks to panel chairman Councillor Robin Owens' (Con, Bingley) casting vote.

Councillors heard letters of objection had been received from two ward councillors, the Shipley Town Centre Development Partnership and Bradford Chamber of Trade, as well as the operators of Shipley's three existing amusement arcades.

The partnership said the facility would damage the image of the town centre, could tempt children into the property and was not needed.

Shipley planning officer Peter Bridgeman told councillors he would personally prefer to see the premises in retail use but said it was not felt there were any policy grounds to justify refusal.

Speaking at the meeting, chartered surveyor Roger Etchells, the planning consultant for Hull-based Teddy Clark, which operates about 20 similar outlets throughout the region, stressed the centre would operate a strict adults-only policy.

Councillor Chris Greaves (Con, Rombalds) said he was concerned the development would result in another non-retail unit opening in Market Square.

And Councillor Malcolm Slater (Lab, Keighley North) said he considered the site to be in a primary shopping area, in which Government Policy Planning Guidance says amusement arcades are "unlikely to be acceptable".

Mr Bridgeman said an inspector considering the issue at appeal would give more weight to the UDP and Councillor Owens proposed approval "on the grounds that we're confined by the guidelines".

Afterwards, Councillor Mark Blackburn (Lab, Shipley East), whose ward includes the former Curtain Discount Store premises and who spoke against the plans during the meeting, said: "I'm very disappointed because Market Square's a totally inappropriate place for this type of thing - it isn't going to do anything for the town.''