PLANS for new shops and flats in a flood-hit area which had been recommended for refusal have been passed by Bradford councillors.

Members of the Keighley & Shipley Area Planning Panel voted to overturn the recommendation made by their own planning officers and approved the application for the site next to Mother Hubbard’s fish and chip shop in Bradford Road, Stockbridge, Keighley .

The plans for the two-storey building with five ground floor shops and five first floor flats were debated at the meeting at Keighley Town Hall

The application includes 49 parking spaces on land behind the site, which fronts on to Bradford Road.

Bradford Council’s planning officer report had said the area was one where business activity was being encouraged, adding that there was no objection to the principle of accommodation above the shops.

However, it was left submerged during last year’s Boxing Day floods.

The council officer’s report said a document submitted on behalf of the applicant about flood risk mitigation was “unacceptable” as the evacuation route from the new building in the event of further flooding would be too dangerous for residents.

But Councillor Glen Miller (Con Worth Valley) recommended at the meeting that having a flood evacuation plan drawn up – which would be periodically reviewed and would incorporate provision of a small, securely stored boat for residents – would alleviate risk.

He said this plan would need to be provided to all future residents of the development.

Highlighting a photo of flooding last year, he said: “This is standing water, not fast flowing. So one accessible, fibre glass boat could alleviate this evacuation problem without any great expense.

“I know you have to plan for the worst possible scenario, but I don’t see a problem with it.”

Councillor Cath Bacon (Lab, Keighley West) said she feared developing the site would displace flood water across Bradford Road, affecting houses there.

The applicant’s agent, Michael Ainsworth of Michael Ainsworth Design Partnership, pointed out that the ground floor of Mother Hubbard’s was not affected by the Boxing Day floods.

And he stressed that the bottom floor of the planned new building would be constructed on an even higher level than that of the fish and chip shop.

Councillors voted to approve the plans, with four members of the panel voting in favour and three against.

Approval was granted on condition that the applicant draw up a flood evacuation plan.

Speaking after permission was granted, Mr Ainsworth said: “We’re pleased with the panel’s decision to approve.

"We see their recommendations as sensible and we’ll be happy to implement them.”