PLANS to build a filling station on the site of a former Eccleshill pub have been deferred by a planning panel after concerns were raised about the traffic problems it could cause.

Earlier this year an application to redevelop a plot of land at the junction of Harrogate Road and Leeds Road, was submitted to Bradford Council.

The Prince of Wales pub once stood on the prominent site, but the building has been demolished in recent years.

Submitted by Farook Asmal, the plans called for a petrol station, small shop and two EV charging bays to be built on the site.

Despite the application's argument that the development would improve an eyesore site, one that regularly attracts anti-social behaviour and fly tipping, there had been 23 objections to the plans.

Objectors raised concerns about the highways safety implications of building a car based business on a busy junction.

The application went before Bradford Council's Bradford Planning Panel on Wednesday, with planning officers recommending the scheme be approved.

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) spoke against the plans at the meeting. He said: "When this application was first submitted I assumed it would be dismissed out of hand.

"I've never come across anyone who said 'oh good! Another filling station.'

"Most people in the area have acted with disbelief at these plans. I was talking to one resident and said this junction was a nightmare in rush hour. He said it was a nightmare even when it wasn't rush hour.

"It is a difficult site. It is an eyesore, crying out for something to be done with it, but this application is not the answer."

Officers pointed out that whatever the site was used for in the future, even if it was used as a pub again, it would involve traffic. Highways officer John Rowley said a filling station was a "pass by" use, a business passing motorists would use, but not one people would specifically travel to.

When asked for more details about the shop on the site, the applicants said it would be a "top up" shop that would be used by people filling their cars, rather than a stand alone store.

Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: "This is a problem site for fly tipping, but I have major reservations about the plan before us. I think the highways department has underestimated the amount of trouble this will cause to the existing road network."

He pointed out that a large primary school was just yards from the site, adding: "This plan will increase levels of pollution."

Councillor Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton and Undercliffe) said: "I'm struggling to support this due to the proximity of the school. I'm tired of parents and children having to look over their shoulders."

Members voted to defer making a decision on the application until a report into the potential traffic impact of the application be produced.