PLANS for a development of shops and offices on Thornton Road have been refused by Bradford Council.

The scheme would have seen seven shops built on an unused plot of land near the junction of Thornton Road and Young Street. The shops, which would each be 45m2, would have office space above, three disabled parking spaces, 20 retail car spaces and six spaces for delivery vans.

The land used to be owned by Bradford Council.

The application, submitted by Sukhjit Singh Dua, followed a similar application for shops and flats on the site - which were withdrawn last year.

Nine people had objected to the plans, one wrote to the Council supporting the development, and a petition of support had also been sent to the planning department.

Planning officers refused the latest application this week, saying seven new shops in that area would "harm the vitality" of nearby businesses in Girlington.

They said: "The proposed development would prejudice the vitality and viability of the nearby Girlington District Centre.

"The development site is within a designated Employment Zone and remains an appropriate site for employment uses.

"Consequently, the proposed retail and A2 office use does not support the role of the Employment Zone and is therefore unacceptable."