A NEW hotel will be built in the car park of Harry Ramsden's in Guiseley, despite local concerns about its impact on traffic congestion in the area.

Councillors sitting on the Development Control Panel (West) this week approved plans for a 40-bedroom travel lodge on the current site of the amusement arcade and car park at the fish and chip restaurant on Bradford Road.

The approval comes just a week after bosses at the popular fish and chip shop revealed their refurbishment plans to bring the world-famous restaurant - the original Harry's - into the 21st century with a six figure investment.

Part of the plan includes improved access to the A65 from Harry Ramsden's car park.

Local residents had objected to the application on the grounds that the proposal would add more traffic to Bradford Road, which is already unsafe and would lead to increased traffic at the already congested White Cross roundabout, leading to more delays.

They also expressed concern about the loss of car parking to Harry Ramsden's and said there were no substantial employment opportunities coming form the development.

But a report considered by the committee said that the plans were acceptable.

Planners said in the report: "The location of the building to the rear of the existing restaurant where the levels of the site are approximately three meters lower... demonstrates that it will not be out of scale or dominate the existing buildings or its surroundings.

"A car parking assessment has been submitted with the application which demonstrates that there is sufficient provision of vehicle parking area to

support dual use of the site."

The report goes on to add that there is a surplus of car parking on the site and that the scheme provides adequate parking. There was no objection from the highways department as new access to the site will improve the existing

situation.

Highways made no objections about the impact on the White Cross roundabout.

There had been three letters of objection to the development.

As reported in this paper last week, Harry's is currently closed for refurbishment and bosses claim they hope to partially reopen in the middle of this month. A grand re-opening, to be attended by local VIPs, will hopefully be held on March 1.

The refurbishment includes

revamping the kitchens, takeaway area and the restaurant, as well as installing a new management team in a bid to improve facilities which had become dated and had not been improved for some time.

Only last April the restaurant was given permission to build a museum shop and amusement arcade and new car park layout at the restaurant. It is unlikely that they will now proceed with those plans.