CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new off licence in Manningham have been approved by Bradford Council, despite concerns from residents that it would add to anti social problems in the area.

Numerous residents had voiced concerns about the plans to turn a shop unit on Oak Lane into an Eastern European food store and off licence, claiming the business would add to the litter and anti social drinking they say has plagued the area in recent years.

But at a meeting of the Bradford District Licensing Panel this afternoon, members approved the application, after a representative of the applicant told them the social problems of Manningham should not be laid at the door of this proposed business.

After the plans were first announced, residents of nearby Bertram Road began a petition calling for the licence to be denied. They said there were already eight off licences in the area, and these businesses had led to litter, street drinking and drug taking.

And they reiterated their concerns at the meeting.

Tahir Ayub spoke on behalf of the applicant, Abdullah Mahmood Muhammad, who he said had invested lots of money into the new business, which has yet to open. He said: "We accept there are anti social issues in the area, but that is for the police and local authority to deal with.

"Issues like kids smoking and people taking drugs in back alleys seem to be a general anti social problem in the area, and I don't think it will be exacerbated by granting this licence to Mr Muhammad."

He was asked if the business would still open without a licence for alcohol. Mr Ayub responded: "The business is predominately for the Polish and Eastern European market, so he feels that alcohol is an essential part of what will be on offer. He doesn't think the business would be able to operate without an alcohol licence."

A group of residents attended the meeting, and claimed the number of off licences were leading to more people drinking in streets and nearby Lister Park. One said: "There are eight off licences in a 0.8 mile radius, we're worried what the latest one will do to our neighbourhood.

"Allowing this is such a close proximity to other similar businesses would breach our human rights to enjoy our homes freely. It will cause further problems. We already feel we are not safe going to the park. What about the type of people this attracts to the community?

"We are not objecting to the shop, we just don't want it to sell alcohol. An off licence here will add to a problem that already exists. If you have a problem you should try to solve it, not make it worse. We want to make Manningham feel safe again."

Others spoke of walking their children to school, having to avoid broken bottles, beer cans and even drinkers in alleys urinating against walls.

Mr Tahir added: "The issues that have been raised all seem to be existing social problems in Manningham, and it is not right to lay them at the door of Mr Muhammad and the new business he has proposed."

After deliberating, the panel granted the licence, with conditions including that the store only sell alcohol from 9am to 9pm, that external areas of the shop be kept free of litter and that the store adopt a "challenge 25" policy.

Objectors were told that if they saw the store breaking any condition of the licence, they could call for a licence review of the business.

Mr Muhammad was also told to make sure he had the right planning permission in place to run an off licence - as no change of use application had yet been submitted for the business.