PLANNERS are set to grant approval for work to be carried out on a former curry house to turn it into a McDonalds. 

The fast food company has submitted plans to Bradford Council to carry out alterations to the building the old Kashmiri Aroma building on Coutances Way, Burley-in-Wharfedale. 

The plans will go before the Keighley and Shipley area planning panel on November 29 for consideration by councillors and officers have recommended that planning permission be granted.

There have been 500 letters of objection to the proposals, but Council officers have made it clear that McDonald’s could open and operate the restaurant without doing the extra work, as no change of use permission is required.

Objections include fears that the presence of McDonald’s will “undermine the historic character of the area” and that a rural location is “not appropriate for this multi-national company”.

Other objectors said that the restaurant might “promote unhealthy food consumption” and attract “different” types of clientele.

There were also concerns about litter, the impact on house prices, and how the presence of McDonald’s would affect local independent retailers.

There were, however, 107 submissions of support, which said the development would bring the building back into use and bring jobs to the area, while one person was all for it because they “like the items on the menu”.

Burley-In-Wharfedale Parish Council objected on a number of grounds, including fears over traffic safety and different hours of operation than the former restaurant.

Richard Hollinson, assistant director for planning, transportation, and highways, at Bradford Council, said in his report: “The site has a long-established use as a restaurant and takeaway with the company ‘Kashmiri Aroma’ operating from this site since 2007.

“Prior to this, the site was occupied by a ‘Little Chef’ restaurant. Kashmiri Aroma have recently vacated, and the site has been purchased by the applicant company, McDonalds. This company will be operating as a restaurant and takeaway.

“It is therefore emphasised that there is no material change of use taking place under the terms of the Planning Act. In this respect, it is not for the Local Planning Authority to ascertain in this application if the ‘use’ of the site is acceptable.”

The report added that the proposed restaurant is not a drive-through facility and the application was not to enlarge the existing building.

Mr Hollinson said: “The applicant could operate from the premises as it currently stands without further consent from the Local Planning authority.

“A vast majority of representations received have raised concerns about the merits (morals and ethics) of the application company. It is not for a Local Planning Authority to ascertain if a particular company (or applicant) can or cannot operate from a premises.”

Keighley and Shipley area planning panel will consider the application when it meets in public on Wednesday, November 29 at 10am in City Hall, Bradford.