A PUB in Wyke, which has been closed down for a year, could soon have a new lease of life after plans were submitted to turn it into a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway.

The Westfield, at the junction of Whitehall Road and Westfield Lane, is operated by Enterprise Inns, who have submitted a scheme to Kirklees Council for internal alterations and refurbishment work, as well as an extension to house a fish and chip shop. The firm has now confirmed that it is in talks with an “experienced operator” to run the premises, a move which has been welcomed by local councillors.

Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said: “I think it’s excellent that they are planning to turn into into a fish and chip restaurant and shop.

“There are so many pubs that have closed down, so it is great to see one reopening.”

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: “The planning application is made by Enterprise Inns, who are in discussions with an experienced operator to run a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway from The Westfield. We will announce further details in due course.”

A design and access statement accompanying the plan details that an extension to the rear of the pub would form the fish and chip shop. A combined commercial kitchen would serve both the restaurant and the shop. Minimal internal alterations to the pub are also part of the scheme.

However the plans have drawn some criticism from a neighbouring councillor, as the pub is right on the border between Bradford and Kirklees.

Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) objected to plans to build a pair of semi-detached houses close to the same junction in Wyke, which were rejected by by Bradford Council’s planning panel earlier this month.

The scheme, in the rear garden of a bungalow on Whitehall Road, would have involved the two new properties having access via Westfield Lane with parking space for two cars to either side.

But with no turning circle and the vehicles needing to park one behind each other, the future occupants would have either had to reverse into the parking space, or reverse out of it.

Access to the pub’s car park is from Westfield Lane, and Cllr Warburton said: “I do have some concerns over the access and egress, however this is an existing business site with car park, so in planning terms it would be acceptable.

“My concern would be around working times, adequately laid-out parking for its customers and takeaway customers, noise generated and adequate provision of litter bins on site.”

Prior to closing down last year, the pub was called Harry’s Carvery, and was among 18 food businesses in the Bradford area to be given a hygiene rating of zero by environmental health inspectors.

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