A RETROSPECTIVE application to open a Chai cafe on a Leeds Road car park has been refused, despite Bradford Council being inundated with letters praising the business' service and products.

Work on the Chaii Walay cafe, at the back of the Orange Street car park, was completed in May, but planning permission for the business was not submitted until late last year.

The retrospective application, for a tea shop in a converted metal container, has now been refused by planning officers due to its poor design and the strain it would put on the public car park.

The plans, submitted by Shahid Khan, said the business created one full time and two part time jobs.

The cafe is based at the back of the car park, but doesn't have any dedicated parking spaces - meaning many customers park in the car park spaces.

Two people had objected to the plans, arguing that the car park should be used as parking for the street's many businesses - not as the base of a new food business.

Inspector overturns decision to refuse Chai tea stall on Little Horton Lane

However, there were many more support comments.

Although support comments for planning applications usually highlight the planning merits of a scheme, most of the letters of support for this application seem more like comments that would be found on Tripadvisor.

One supporter wrote: "Quality food, fast service. Been here many times, did not wait more then 2-3 minutes for order.

Another said: "Brilliant concept, efficient service grab and go!"

Many praised the menu, with one writing: "I would like to see this business do well and keep serving us the delicious tea."

The cafe's donuts in particular were praised in many support comments, with one saying: "Amazing donuts" and another going even further to say: "You have to approve this, they provide a fantastic service and the BEST DONUTS IN ENGLAND!"

Another said: "A family member managed to get a job here. Close to home (always win win)."

However, planning officers gave a less rosy view of the application.

A planning report said: "The development site has no dedicated parking spaces but the site plan shows half of the public car park subsumed within the site's boundary.

"This public car park has been provided by the Council for local businesses and residents use and not for direct use for any trading purposes.

"The loss of any public car parking spaces is unacceptable.

"The traffic generated by this proposal would be likely to obstruct vehicular movements to and from the car park and also within the car park and could lead to conditions prejudicial to highway and pedestrian safety."

Officers also criticised the appearance of the cafe, saying: "Due to the poor design, form and the proposed materials of the container and retaining structure, it is considered that the proposal will result in an alien addition that poorly relates to the style and form of the surrounding properties. As such the proposal will not maintain the character of the surrounding."

Now the plans have been refused, the applicants will have to return the site to its previous state, although they could appeal the Council's decision.