Tesco has been refused planning permission to build a store in Queensbury.

Scrubland off Brighouse Road was identified as a plot to build a supermarket with 153 car parking spaces.

In a report to the Bradford Area Planning Panel, City Hall planners recommended permission be granted, but that was thrown out by councillors who voted six-to-one to refuse it today.

The panel cited the threat posed to the village’s shops and the unsuitability of the store in a conservation area as deciding factors for turning it down.

There was significant opposition to the plans for Brighouse Road by local residents and businessmen. Thirty-six written objections were submitted to the Council as well as four petitions containing a total of 271 signatures.

Among their concerns were increased traffic congestion and loss of wildlife. A line of mature trees opposite the grade II-listed Black Dyke Mills and bordering the 1.2 hectare site would have been felled to create an access although Tesco said they would pay for replacement semi-mature trees.

Planning officers told the meeting a district-wide Council study had revealed a need to encourage people to spend in Queensbury, an argument rejected by Councillor David Robinson (Wyke, Lab).

He said: “Queensbury, in my opinion, is a thriving village, it doesn’t need this retail development and I know there are major traffic issues during the day.”

Ward councillor Michael Walls (Con), speaking as an objector, said: “There are 13 supermarkets within five miles of Queensbury. This would be a death sentence for local shops and businesses.”

Steve Parfett, a wholesaler who supplies businesses in Queensbury, said: “The need for additional shops is unproved. Queensbury is a village, this is totally inappropriate.” Tesco spokesman Mark Thorne told the panel the supermarket would create 200 jobs, 120 full-time.

He said: “This has been considered an appropriate retail site on two previous occasions. The design would be appropriate use of space that reflects the conservation area.”

But Councillor Paul Flowers (Great Horton, Lab) said: “The design is detrimental to the nature of the conservation area and its proximity to a major listed building.”

Tesco has the opportunity to appeal.