COUNCILLORS have approved plans to turn a house into a micropub - despite the advice of their officers.

An application for the change of use of 7 Thackley Road into a pub went before Bradford Council's Bradford Planning Panel today.

The house is on the corner of Thackley Road and Cragg Hill Road, and dates back to the 1850s. It has also previously been used as a corner shop.

Over 86 people have written to Bradford Council to support the scheme, although 18 people had written in to object to them.

Officers had recommended the scheme be refused, saying the new business would lead to an increase in noise in the area - particularly at night, and could lead to traffic issues at the junction.

A report that went before the panel said: "The proposed change of use would result in a significant adverse impact on the occupants of neighbouring residential properties due to the noise and disturbances associated with customers visiting the site and congregating outside in close proximity to residential properties.

"The proposed development fails to provide suitable and sufficient accommodation within the site for parking.

"Consequently, the proposal would likely result in an increased number of vehicles parking on the highway restricting visibility at the junction between Thackley Road and Cragg Hill Road."

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Applicant Christine Townend said: "This pub will have no food, no music, no TVs and no fruit machines.

"The economic benefits will include two full time staff and three part time staff. We hope they will be from the local community. Most of our customers will be local."

She said that if the Council had a problem with traffic at the junction they should use some of the £14 million that had been allocated to three of the busiest junctions in the city to make improvements at this site.

When it came time to debate the plans, members of the panel took a different view to officers.

Councillor Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong) said: "Bradford Council has been promoting many of these establishments across the district in particular on North Parade.

"We've heard that there is very little car parking space. I like a pint, I don't drink in excess, but I never drive when I do go for a drink and I think a lot of people are like minded.

"I think this panel should support this enterprise."

Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton) said: "It is a really good use of the site, and will create employment for local people."

Members then approved the plan on the conditions that the applicants sound proof the building's interior. The opening hours will be limited to 3pm to 9pm on week days and 3pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturdays.