THE GOVERNMENT has overturned Bradford Council’s decision to block plans to turn a former bank into a takeaway.

Last year the Council refused a planning application to convert the former Natwest on Fair Road, Wibsey, into a fish and chip shop, claiming there was “an over concentration of hot food takeaways in the vicinity, which would be detrimental to the vitality and viability of the Wibsey local centre.”

However, now a government planning inspector has overturned that decision, saying there was “no evidence” to support the claims there were too many takeaways in the area.

The bank closed in 2015 after two armed robberies, with Natwest saying the decision was made “to protect the safety of its staff and customers.” It has remained empty ever since.

When the plans for the fish and chip shop, by Paul Manogue, went before the Bradford Area Planning Panel in July, officers recommended the scheme for approval. But members of the committee opted to go against their advice and refuse the plans.

The applicant then appealed the decision, and government inspector Stephen Normington has now made a judgement - overturning the Council’s refusal and granting permission for the takeaway.

At the time there had been eighteen objections to the plans, including the neighbouring Liberal Club, and a petition in support with a total of 60 signatures.

The inspector’s report points out that the application is now in the name of a Mrs Hussain, rather than Paul Manogue.

Their appeal lists the 49 businesses in Wibsey, pointing out that of these there are just three hot food takeaways.

Mr Normington’s report says: “There are no other hot food takeaways in the immediate vicinity within this part of the Wibsey Local Centre. In this case I have no evidence to support the Council’s assertion that the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the viability and vitality of the local centre. Nor do I have any indication as to any maximum number of hot food takeaways that could be sustained within the local centre overall without having a detrimental effect on viability or vitality.

“The proposal would bring back into use a vacant property in the parade and thereby assist in improving vitality of this part of the local centre.”

He also dismissed concerns by councillors that the new business would lead to traffic problems, saying: “I observed at my site visit during the lunchtime period that there was ample availability of parking, both on street and off street, in the vicinity of the appeal property. The proposed takeaway would be likely to be busy in the evenings when the adjacent businesses in the parade have closed.”

The takeaway will be allowed to open between 8am and 11pm.