Council planners have been called on to give more help to small companies amid fears they will suffer because of the boom in major developments.

Mike Cartwrignt, policy executive of Bradford Chamber, said one business had twice failed to get permission for alterations which would have meant expansion.

But he said the company was at a loss to understand the rejection of a scheme which would have regenerated the area.

Others had also complained they did not get help when they put in applications and some decisions seemed inconsistent.

Bradford Council's planning department admits it is under pressure and is narrowly missing a Government target to deal with "major" applications within 13 weeks. It hit two targets for applications categorised as "minor" and "other".

Mr Cartwrignt said: "We would like better co-ordination and communication between businesses and the planning department." He said the Chamber recognised the large number of applications, including the £350 million canalside village the city centre and the Manningham and Airedale masterplans.

He added: "We recognise they are over-worked and doing the best they can but they need resources to help the businesses.

"It is great to have grand schemes but it is important small enterprises are not forgotten. We are all part of a cohesive whole."

Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "Obviously I am concerned about this and would like to discuss it with the Chamber. There are some very big and complicated planning applications being dealt with and there are some strains.

"We have put more money into the budget for planning but there is a national shortage of town planners. Things aren't helped by the Government continually coming up with extra requirements and red tape."

A Council spokesman said: "There is a potential for extra pressure, particularly in the city centre, but we are dealing with it at the moment and making provisions for additional workload in the future in order to continue to meet Government targets."