Plans for an Asian bazaar inside a former Morrisons store have stalled after flaws emerged in a licence application already approved by Bradford Council.

Developers want to run a fashion and fancy goods market at the empty shop on Idle Road, Bolton Junction.

But local residents and councillors have teamed up to oppose the scheme because with 74 working stalls, they believe it will cause traffic and parking chaos.

Earlier this week, they told the T&A how it would be a disaster for the area as there were insufficient parking spaces on site.

However, in the unnamed developer’s application for a trading licence, it was stated that additional space was available due to an agreement with the Swing Gate pub on the corner with nearby Myers Lane.

But ward councillor Howard Middleton said last night that the Council’s market bosses had now frozen their approval process as it had been shown such an agreement did not exist.

“The markets manager has told me he has now been contacted by the Swing Gate public house who have stated they will not give permission for the customers of the proposed Asian bazaar to use their car park,” said Coun Middleton (Bolton and Undercliffe, Lib Dem).

“I know the pub has been generous in letting other people occasionally use it’s car park, but it won’t give up its parking permanently like that,” he said.

“Now the applicant has got to put in alternative proposals for customer car parking which will then have to be reviewed by the Council’s highways department – that’s what I’ve been told.

“Everyone around here has real objections to this proposal and we have made it clear we totally oppose it,” Coun Middleton said.

He wrote in a formal objection letter that a previous similar plan was refused in 2007: “This was for only ten mixed-use units, not the 74 stalls asked for under this market application,” Coun Middleton wrote.

“Reasons for the refusal included: 'The proposed development fails to provide suitable and sufficient accommodation within the site for the parking, loading/unloading of vehicles in connection with the proposed development.

“Consequently, there would result increased vehicle manoeuvring and parking of vehicles within the highway, to the detriment of the safe and free flow of traffic on the highway. For this reason, the proposal is unacceptable’,” wrote Coun Middleton, quoting from that decision.

Myers Lane resident of ten years, John Mallinson said he welcomed a pause for the Council to review its decision to grant a six-month trial licence for the Asian bazaar.

“I hope this idea is frozen – then cancelled altogether,” he said.

“The safety of the neighbourhood has not been taken into consideration because a bazaar like this will bring dangerous traffic problems,” Mr Mallinson said.

A spokesman for Bradford Council’s market managers said it was the case that issues over parking space had resulted in a review of permission for the bazaar.

Written confirmation of any alternative parking suggestions is now being sought from the developer.