Enforcement action could be taken after chai plan withdrawn

A planning application to build a new café on a site off Thornton Road was submitted to Bradford Council this Summer.

Although the application described the site as derelict, the café had clearly already been built.

The application, submitted by Christopher Thornburn, has now been withdrawn.

Chai Village in Thornton Road

But as of this week the café still remains in situ.

An almost identical planning application for a café on the site had been refused by planning officers last year.

The site is in the Goitside Conservation area, and flanked by large mill buildings.

Planning officers said the café plan was “out of keeping with much of the Thornton Road frontage.”

They added: “The timber structure is visually jarring amongst the masonry surroundings, materially harming the visual amenities of the area."

Officers also argued that the café “would impede the proper regeneration and development of the site.”

Before the latest application was withdrawn, heritage officers had raised similar concerns.

The Telegraph & Argus asked Bradford Council if they planned any enforcement action – considering the plans had been withdrawn despite the café still being in place.

A Council spokesperson, said: “The most recent planning application for this café has been withdrawn.

“The Council will now contact the landowner and if they don’t address the planning breach, we will take enforcement action against them.”