Plans for a new cafe bar have sparked a heated row in a village with eight pubs.

Campaigners say they fear proposals to build a new cafe bar and bistro will attract trouble-causing drinkers in a village with too many licensed premises already.

But licence applicant Stuart Wiggins said he wants to open an "upmarket dining area", not another pub.

Planners will consider an application to convert part of a hairdresser's premises in Wibsey High Street, Wibsey, into a cafe bistro at next month's Bradford South Area Planning Panel.

But residents and ward councillors have said that the village already has more than enough licensed premises and are objecting to the plans.

Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) said: "There are already a lot of issues relating to Wibsey's licensed premises and we don't need to add to them.

"We have problems with violence, late-night licences and broken glass.

"The ward councillors and a lot of residents fear that another bar would greatly damage the quality of life for residents in the village."

However, Mr Wiggins, who has put in the licensing application, said: "I want a cafe bistro. This is not going to be a late-night drinking outlet or another pub. There has been a misunderstanding by local residents.

"It will not pull in people for the drinking scene, it will be for the social scene. I want to serve coffees, but if people should want a drink with their food, they will be able to.

"There will be a waiting area for people before they are seated, where they can have a drink or smoke. People will be able to come in if they are not eating, but it's a small area that will only cater for a few people."

Don Brasenell and his wife Shirley, who live in Bradlaugh Terrace, near the proposed cafe bar, said they were furious about the plans. Mr Brasenell said: "How many licensed premises does one village need? We are already surrounded by pubs, the last thing we need is another."

Natasha Helm, 27, also lives in Bradlaugh Terrace and has two young children. "I am worried about the levels of noise that a new licensed premises could create," she said.

"If it is a nice eaterie I wouldn't mind as much but I would definitely object to another pub."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said 11 letters of objection to the application had been lodged so far.

In July last year, pubs in Wibsey joined forces with the West Yorkshire Police to crack down on troublemakers.

They launched the Wibsey Pubwatch scheme and landlords now meet regularly to discuss relevant issues.

Coun Berry, Coun Dave Green (Lab, Wibsey) and Coun Lynne Smith (Lab, Wibsey) said they want to put together a village design statement to map out the future for Wibsey.

"Haworth has a similar document and it will help Wibsey come up with a template of how the future of the village will look," said Coun Berry.

"We need to strike the balance between having a thriving economy and a good local community for residents to live in."

e-mail: jennifer.sugden@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT YOU THINK OF THE PLANS

Frank Hughes, 58, a graphic artist lives in Wibsey and drinks there. "There are quite enough pubs already but a new restaurant would be a welcome addition to Wibsey. I would be happy if it goes ahead," he said.

Leon Hollingworth, 31, has lived in Wibsey for 25 years and drinks in its pubs. He said: "I don't have any objections to another licensed premises. As far as I am concerned, the more choice the better."

Paula Fry is the licensee at The Windmill in Wibsey. She said: "We do have enough pubs here already but a new restaurant would be very welcome and is just what Wibsey needs."

Andy Baker, 48, lives with his son in Bradlaugh Terrace, behind the proposed premises. "I don't have any objections to a new licensed premises," he said. "Pubwatch is doing a great job and we don't have nearly as many problems as we used to."

Geoff Halliday, 68, of Wibsey, said a new place to go and eat in the village was an excellent idea. "If it means a nice restaurant to go and eat I am all for it, but if it is another pub we certainly don't need any more. You can jump from one to the other already."

EIGHT PLACES TO GET A DRINK

There are eight pubs in Wibsey village:

  • The Dog and Gun Inn, St Enochs Road.
  • The Horse and Groom, Beacon Road.
  • The Park, Reevy Road.
  • The Upper George, George Street.
  • The White Swan, High Street.
  • The Windmill, High Street.
  • The Ancient Foresters, High Street.
  • The Market Tavern, High Street.