Fifth bid for unauthorised Chai Village has failed

A planning inspector dismissed the appeal that would have allowed Chai Village to remain on a vacant Conservation Area site off Thornton Road earlier this month.

The decision came after Bradford Council had refused four other applications for the business in the past two years.

The plans, by Chai Village LTD – a company that was recently dissolved, were to retain a café and seating area on the site, along with a car park and large LED screen.

Planners had raised concerns about the screen’s impact on drivers and neighbouring residents, as well as the “poor quality” of the buildings – which were erected on the site in 2022 without permission.

In the past the site has been earmarked for a major retail and residential scheme.

Last month, a planning panel were told that the Council was drawing up an enforcement notice against the developers.

With the appeal – which could have granted retrospective permission to the development, now dismissed the Telegraph & Argus asked the Council if the enforcement notice would be followed up on.

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “Investigations are ongoing, and officers are working with our colleagues in the legal department to instigate legal proceedings in the near future.”