Residents opposing plans for Otley Road, Baildon, fast-food outlet (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Residents opposing plans for Otley Road, Baildon, fast-food outlet

10:40am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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Residents have opposed plans to convert a former newsagents shop in Baildon into a fast-food outlet due to concerns about road safety and a lack of parking.

A report to Shipley Area Planning Panel says there have been five objections to the proposal to convert the former premises of Otley Road News at 14 Otley Road, including two from ward councillors and a 37-signature petition against it.

But it adds the plan has also received some support, based on “the economic benefits of new business in Bradford”.

Councillor Val Townend said she and fellow Baildon Councillor Roger L’Amie had objected to the proposal due to the road safety and parking concerns.

She said: “There just isn’t any car parking and obviously the road is so congested – both Otley Road and Baildon Road are so congested.

“If you’re having a takeaway you’re going to be having people who are coming frequently, which is the last thing you want in that area.

“They have got to park off the road, there’s nowhere they can park on Otley Road because it is all double yellow lines and there’s nowhere else to park.

“People have contacted us, people are concerned about it.

“Obviously it is the parking that is the main problem. If there was adequate parking it wouldn’t be a problem, but there just isn’t any.”

Council officers have recommended the plans be refused by the planning panel when it meets on Wednesday.

The report says the application includes a suggestion that part of a car park in George Street, Baildon, could be used in an attempt to overcome previous reasons for refusal.

But officers state: “This area is not within the applicants’ control and the appropriate notice has not been served on the land owner.”

The report says although the principle of the proposal is accepted, it does not outweigh highway safety concerns. It states: “The proposed development fails to provide suitable provision for the accommodation of motor vehicles.

“The use of the premises as a takeaway would result in an increase in on-street parking, interfering with the safe and free flow of traffic on a stretch of highway where the principal function is carrying traffic freely.”

The Telegraph & Argus was unable to contact applicant Mehboob Hussain or his agent Shazad Mohammed.