PLANS to turn one of Bradford's grandest empty buildings into a restaurant have been approved, despite concerns the business could lead to traffic chaos on Great Horton Road.

The Grove Library building was until recently used by Bradford College. Before then it was the Bradford Regional College of Art - once attended by David Hockney.

Yesterday members of Bradford Council's Area Planning Panel approved an application to turn the ground floor of the Grade II listed building into a new branch of Lala's restaurant - a brand that started in Bradford.

Much of the discussion on the plans revolved around a debate as to what was more important - finding a new use for a landmark building, or preventing extra traffic on an already busy road.

A previous application to turn the building into a restaurant, conference facility and "sky lounge" was refused last year, with planning officers saying there was nowhere near enough parking for these three businesses.

The scale of the plans was reduced, and there will now only be a ground floor restaurant with a mezzanine floor.

A report to members said that although there was still a huge under-supply of parking in the plan, any future use of the building would likely have the same problem, and it was important to bring this heritage building back into use.

They said there were double yellow lines on the road outside the building - and this would likely put off customers from parking on the street.

Conversion of listed former College building would 'bring life back' into area of city centre

Local Councillor Annela Ahmed (Lab, City) spoke out against the plans at the meeting. She said that there were rarely any parking enforcement officers in that area of Great Horton Road at night, and suggested customers would just park dangerously on the street. She said: "This place will add to the parking pressure on the street. When it gets to 5pm the traffic is highly congested - it is gridlock every day. Residents will struggle even more to find a parking space. Noone can magic up any parking spaces for residents.

"Let's be realistic, noone will catch a bus to this venue or park in the NCP, they'll try to park as close as they can."

Planning officers had referred to a debate over a wedding venue on Manningham Lane. That application was refused by Councillors due to a lack of parking outside the venue. However, the applicant appealed, and a Government inspector overturned the Council's decision, saying the venue was near the city centre and double yellow lines would put off customers from parking dangerously.

They said planning inspectors would likely take a similar view if this application was refused and went to appeal. It could also cost the council thousands in costs.

Cllr Ahmed said: "I'd rather have an inspector overturn a Council decision than know we have let our residents down."

Planning officer Amin Ibrar said: "The building is there and has been used previously for many, many years. Anything we put in that building would have a greater impact on parking. This plan will create more parking, that is undeniable, but we need something to go in this building."

Josh Harling, the agent representing Lala's, said there were few options for creating more parking, and said the most likely option for the building if it didn't become a restaurant was to be converted into flats - which would also require parking.

He said: "The applicant is a Bradford business looking to bring jobs into the area.

"Other businesses nearby like My Lahore have no car parking.

"We're bringing a proposal forward to bring back into use an iconic Bradford building, why not allow it to become an iconic business?"

He added: "If this proposal is not approved then can someone come forward with another option for this building?"

Councillor Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton and Undercliffe) said: "It is not this panel;s responsibility to put forward uses for this building. If someone acquires a listed building it is up to them to come up with ideas for it."

Councillor Kyle Green (Cons, Ilkley) said: "We want to support local business - the city centre needs entrepreneurial spirit to help get buildings like this back into use. There will be parking considerations with any use of this building."