PLANS to turn a Bradford pub into a community centre and library have been withdrawn after Highways officers raised serious concerns about the scheme.

In spring, an application to turn the Fairweather Green pub on Thornton Road into a community and learning facility was submitted by the Kurdish Islamic Cultural Centre.

The application acknowledged there was limited parking at the building, but added: “A majority of the use is for local residents and a number of people will travel in either arrive by bus, taxi or bicycles.”

Highways officers at the Council objected to the plans, saying: “At school start and end times there are high levels of short-term on-street parking taking place outside Fairweather Green Pub from parents dropping off and picking up pupils from the school opposite, often resulting in obstructions to the free flow of traffic.

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“The planning document states that the proposed development would be for use by local residents and a number of people will either arrive by bus, taxi or bicycle.

“No details have been provided as to the ages of the persons using the educational facility, whether the site would hold prayers and whet her this would be open to all and not just those already attending the site.

“Information on times when classes would be held; size of classes; ages of students, have not been provided either.

“The use of the site by local residents only cannot be controlled and whilst I would accept that some people might arrive by other means than a car, it is likely that most would travel by car.

“The proposed use is therefore likely result in additional parking and/or drop-off & pick-up taking place on Thornton Road further exacerbating the existing parking concerns associated with Crossley Hall Primary School raising additional pedestrian and highway safety concerns.”

The application was withdrawn this month.