PLANS for a Wibsey betting shop to relocate into a former village bank have been approved.

Betfred’s application to move its Wibsey branch from High Street to Folly Hall Road – the former Santander, was submitted to Bradford Council this Summer.

The company said the ex-bank was larger than its current branch, and that the move would help fill a prominent empty unit.

The bank shut in June 2021, leaving the Bradford South Constituency without any high street banks.

Two people had objected to the application, claiming it would expose more people to gambling and arguing that the existing betting shop was not busy enough to require bigger premises.

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Concerns were also raised that the betting shop could become a target of crime.

But planning officers this week approved the move, saying: “As this is a relocation of an existing business, and taking into consideration that other betting shops are a good walk away from this site, this proposal is unlikely to impact on the vitality of this high street and will not harm the viability of this local centre.

“The use does not raise any increased concerns with regards to crime or the potential for robbery than that of the previous bank.”