NEW plans for the site of a pub that burned down earlier this year would “create a positive first impression” to people arriving to Bradford.

If the plans are approved a restaurant and mini retail park would be built on the former Gallopers pub site on Wakefield Road - on one of the main routes into Bradford city centre.

Proposals to redevelop the site on Wakefield Road were revealed by the Redbeck Group earlier this year, and involved the construction of a restaurant and industrial units.

However the plans were refused by Bradford Council in May, with planning officers raising concerns that the site was being marketed as a retail park rather than industrial site.

They also feared there was not enough parking included in the plans, and that the development would threaten the viability of other local shopping areas.

Plans to redevelop Wakefield Road pub site refused by Bradford Council

A separate application to demolish the empty 1970s pub building, submitted at the same time, was approved, but the week demolition work was due to start the pub caught fire after a suspected arson attack.

The damaged building was demolished, and the site has remained empty since.

Now a new application to develop the site have been submitted - with local business Yeme Architects having re-designed plans for the site.

They say the new plans have overcome the issues that led to the previous application being refused, and will “create a local landmark” on Wakefield Road.

The application shows that the previous restaurant plan for the site has been changed, from the original more blocky design to a more striking design, with large windows facing the road.

The plans show the 240 square metre restaurant to be a Yoh Burger Company branch - a chain that opened its first branch in Rotherham last year.

The other side of the site will have a 240 square metre building split into four shops.

The planning application says the development will create 31 full time jobs, and there would be 22 parking spaces on the site.

It adds: “Prior to it burning down early in 2019, the pub had sat vacant and boarded up for number of years. The site had become a target for vandalism, fallen into disrepair and consequently become an eyesore before becoming the subject of arson.

“In its current condition the vacant site exposes the residential area beyond to the noise and view of the busy Wakefield Road.

“The proposal has been designed to create a high quality group of buildings which we believe will add positively to the surrounding context.”

“The site occupies a prominent position and acts as an an important buffer between Wakefield Road and the A650.

“The site offers good visibility on the way into Bradford and through design our proposal aims to create a positive first impression of the city upon arrival.”

A “sequential test” included in the application says no other sites in the area that are on the market and ready for development are suitable for the type of development the applicants are hoping to build.

A decision on the application is expected to be made in February.