A Council decision to allow a bazaar of 74 stalls to operate inside a former Morrisons’ store in Bradford has met with opposition from nearby residents and ward councillors.

The unnamed developers have been given permission for a market licence to run what is thought to be an Asian fashion and fancy goods market for a trial six months in Idle Road, Bolton Junction.

As permission exists for a retail business there was no need for fresh planning permission to be granted but people in the area are protesting at the prospect of the bazaar with so many stalls and only 37 parking spaces on the site.

Bradford businessman Shahid Qureshi lives in nearby Myers Lane and he organised a petition the moment he discovered the plans.

He said: “This will be a disaster for the area – there just isn’t enough parking for somewhere with that number of stalls.

“For starters where are all the traders themselves going to park their vans?

“We are devastated at the idea. It is a peaceful place to live soon it might be heaving.

“Shoppers will come in coachloads from all over to somewhere like this.”

Geoff Rose, who has lived in High House Avenue for 12 years, said he was furious at the decision.

“It will have a massive impact on our lives. It’s to be shut Thursdays and Fridays and open at the weekend until 7pm.

“It’s lovely and quiet round here outside of work hours, and now we will inundated with vans, cars and people,” said pensioner Mr Rose.

Councillor David Gray (Lib Dem, Bolton & Undercliffe) said opposition to the scheme had been lodged before the decision was made.

“The Liberal Democrat group had asked for the licence to be delayed while they consult with constituents,” he said.

“The problem is not with the type of market – it’s all to do with the parking as Idle Road is horrendous anyway.

“If the market has 74 stalls and only 37 parking places then that really is trying to fit a pint into a half-pint pot.”

Fellow ward Councillor Howard Middleton (Lib Dem) agreed.

He said: “The old Morrisons shut in the early 90s and although it was obviously once a supermarket, it has never been a real market.

“How are they going to squeeze in that number of stalls?

“The problem is there are going to be a lot of people moving in and out all the time from a business like that and our problem is, of course, the highways.

“We councillors have made our views very clear and these are real local objections as to why we think it’s not a good idea.”

Colin Wolstenholme, the Council’s markets manager, confirmed the applicants had been granted a markets licence for six months and he pledged the operation will be closely monitored to ensure the terms were complied with.

“An application has been received for a market licence and following our internal consultation process we have determined that the applicant has satisfied the requirements to be issued with a licence, which will be subject to a number of conditions,” Mr Wolstenholme said.

“We have placed a condition on our approval that the licence will be for an initial six-month period to ensure the market does not cause any highway safety issues.”