PLANS to turn an office building in Keighley town centre into a new bar have been approved by Bradford Council.

Alan Hartley. had submitted an application to convert 3 Scott Street, behind the town's Yorkshire Bank into a bar that would specialise in craft ale and gin.

The empty unit is next to, and owned by, the town's Liberal Club.

Four people had written in support of the plans, but there had been one objection, claiming the business would cause noise in the "quiet" town centre area and increase traffic on the road.

Micropub plan for Keighley town centre

Planning officers said the town centre location meant a bar use would be suitable for the building, adding: "The proposal will bring an unused building back into use and would help to support the function of the town centre."

Referring to the objector's concerns about traffic, officers said: "This is a town centre bar with double yellow lines across the whole street. There are numerous nearby town centre car parks and the location is very well served by public transport.

"It is not anticipated that use as a bar would have significant impact regards highway safety over and above the lawful use as offices."

The application said the new business would act as a "sister bar" to The Ginning Rat on Low Street.