AN ILLEGAL nightclub in Bradford which is claimed to be plagued by anti-social behaviour has been ordered to shut down by Bradford Council.

The authority is taking enforcement action against Jumeirah in Hey Street, Listerhills, close to Bradford College and the university.

The club, which the Council says blights neighbours with noise and disturbance, doubles up as a shisha lounge.

One business owner nearby said youths regularly fought in the street outside the club, while another said underage youngsters were often at the venue.

The Council's Bradford Area Planning Panel will hear tomorrow that the club is in breach of planning control.

The breaches involve using the venue as a nightclub, building an unauthorised first-floor extension on the side of the property, and installing two externally-mounted roller shutters on the front of the club.

A report to the panel states: "The use of the premises is unacceptable and adversely affects the amenity of neighbouring residents through noise and disturbance from general activities associated with the use, particularly at unsociable hours.

"The unauthorised first-floor side extension introduces a discordant feature in the street scene by reason of its poor design, materials and its elevated and prominent position at first-floor level to the detriment of the local environment."

The report also states that the roller shutters are "obtrusive" and ruin the look of the street and the building.

One business owner, who did not want to be named, said the venue sometimes opened at 2pm, adding: "It is like a pub, with fighting out on the street. Young people are often fighting out in the street.

"Lots of businesses round here would be glad to see it shut down.

"I am totally against shisha. It would be okay if it was a youth centre or something like that."

Another business owner, who also did not want to be named, said: "There are lots of underage kids hanging about, especially on Saturdays."

Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) said: "If it does not have any authorised usage, the Council will pursue and take enforcement action.

"Whoever is running this place, if they have a long-term intention of carrying on their business they will have to put in a retrospective planning application and for change of use, without which it is illegal."

Councillor Ruqayyah Collector (Bradford Independent Group, City) said: "The Council has to take enforcement action and they (the owners) should apply for planning permission.

"Business owners know the score. Sometimes they try it on and think they will be granted retrospective planning permission.

"We would encourage all businesses to go through the proper planning process.

"I would support the Council's action and encourage businesses to go through the correct way of getting permission."

Ian Horsfall, Bradford Council's planning manager for enforcement and trees, said: "An enforcement notice will be issued in due course for the location of 1 Hey Street, Bradford. It will be for two unauthorised roller shutters, a first floor extension to the property and the use of the premises as a nightclub."

The planning panel meets at Bradford City Hall from 10am tomorrow.