A Bradford businessman who says he spent £5,000 converting a shop into a caf, only to have his plans turned down, is to take legal advice.

Leo Dooley, of East Bowling, says he has evidence on tape of a Bradford Council planning officer telling him he would have no problems gaining planning permission for the cafe at 3/4 Glenroyal Buildings, Briggate, Shipley.

But the plans were rejected at a heated meeting of the Town and Country Planning (Shipley Area) Sub-Committee yesterday, after members heard Highways objections.

Concerns were expressed that road safety would be compromised if the scheme went ahead.

Chief among these was the fear that the proposal would lead to hazardous or dangerous turning or u-turn manoeuvres on Briggate and an increase in the number of vehicles using the bus lay-by.

There was also concern over the number of accidents at nearby Fox Corner junction.

Mr Dooley told chairman Coun Eileen Sinclair: "I have spent £5,000 converting it into a cafe and I don't feel you are giving me a fair chance.

"I have a tape recording of a conversation telling me that Highways was happy with it.

"There's nothing else to say - you are not letting me use my evidence. I am wasting my time." Despite several requests to play the tape Coun Sinclair remained firm in her refusal to allow the tape to be heard.

Peter Bridgman, Shipley planning officer, told him: "What is said previously is not relevant. An officer made an informal comment."

And Coun Jack Womersley tried to explain to Mr Dooley that it was councillors of the committee who made the decisions, not officers.

But Mr Dooley was unhappy with the explanation and left the meeting to confront planning officers.

Later he told the Telegraph & Argus: "I am going to sue the council. I have a tape saying I can have planning permission.

"I spent a lot of money, probably more than £5,000, and feel quite upset about it. Highways had a look and were quite happy about the situation."

Mr Bridgman said: "He has jumped the gun. The position is that it he was told it was worthwhile making an application.

"The advice was that as a cafe it could well be allowed, subject to the formal process of consulting.

"The advice from Highways was to refuse. Obviously he is upset and, unfortunately, it does happen from time to time."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.