PLANS for a new store have been refused over concerns it could draw business away from both Shipley town centre and Saltaire.

Proposals to demolish the Northcliffe Garage site at 39 Saltaire Road and build a 374 square metre shop in its place were first revealed in June.

The application was submitted by Heaton based Universal Properties (Yorkshire), and although no detail was given as to what type of shop it would be, it did claim the development would create 15 jobs.

This week the plans were refused by Bradford Council - with officers raising concerns about both the impact on the centres of Shipley and Saltaire, and highway safety.

The garage is located on a busy main road linking Shipley and Saltaire, and is just a few yards from Wycliffe Primary School.

There had been just one objection to the application, from the recently formed Shipley Town Council.

Cafe and bakery plan approved for Shipley town centre unit

In a letter to planning officers, the Council voiced its objection to the scheme, saying: "The introduction of an additional out-of-town centre retail unit is highly unlikely to support the established town centre economy.

"Shipley town centre requires intervention to support it as a retail destination. Footfall in the town centre needs to be increased.

"The location of the proposed new retail unit shop will, conversely, lead people away from established bus and pedestrian access, increasing car journeys and movements, to the detriment of sustainable travel options, which are better served in the town centre.

"Shipley suffers from high levels of vehicle congestion and poor air quality, including illegal levels of air pollution within parts of the town in close proximity to 39 Saltaire Road.

"In addition to general concerns about vehicle movements and pollution, the proposed development will be located immediately adjacent to the existing primary school.

"Congestion at this location is exacerbated at school opening and closing times.

"The children attending this school are aged between three and twelve and are therefore vulnerable pedestrians.

"Road safety at this location is likely to be further compromised by the additional vehicle movements associated with the proposed retail unit."

Highways officers at Bradford Council also raised concerns about the plans.

The application had said there would be parking space for nine cars at the shop. But officers said there was "insufficient information" and that the developers needed to submit more details on the proposed development's traffic generation and distribution, access, parking, servicing arrangements and the site's accessibility by walking, cycling and public transport.

Planning officers agreed with the Town Council's concerns, saying: "The application site is located outside any established town or local centre, and the proposal has failed to demonstrate the retail need within that area.

"The application has not provided any meaningful justification for what would be a significant out of centre retail development. There is no supporting statement or sequential test to justify development of the retail unit in this location where it could undermine the vitality and viability of nearby centres - especially Shipley Town Centre and Saltaire Local Centre."