PLANS to build a development of shops and flats on a vacant Manningham site have been refused.

An application for a building with four ground floor shops and seven flats on the upper floors was submitted for an empty plot of land - 268 Lumb Lane - earlier this year.

But Bradford Council has now refused the plans, saying the development would increase pressure on on-street parking, and that there was no evidence of how the new building would boost biodiversity.

It is the second time an application for shops and flats on this site has been refused. Last year the Council refused the development, giving nine separate reasons for refusal.

The latest plans, by Mr Master, said: “The site is brownfield and a prime location for development in line with planning guidelines.”

But planning officers have now refused the scheme – this time giving three reasons for refusal.

They included that the plan “fails to provide sufficient and suitable provision within the site for the accommodation of motor vehicles.”

Planners said the proximity to a neighbouring building would “detract from the amenities enjoyed by future residents of the apartment block.”

And they said there was “inadequate information which shows how the ecological value of the site will be enhanced post development.”