Expansion of a Shipley curry restaurant and headquarters looks set to be refused.

Shipley Area Planning Panel has been advised by Bradford Council officers to refuse permission because of a lack of parking.

The Managing director of the Aagrah chain of restaurants, Mohammed Aslam, has put forward the proposals, which would cost about £250,000. They include a first-floor extension at the Saltaire Road building to provide a second dining room and kitchen.

Mr Aslam said a further 110 diners could be seated - almost double the number catered for presently and at least another ten jobs would be created.

The plans look set to be brought to a halt as planning officers claim the increase in the restaurant's size is likely to cause safety problems.

Under Bradford Council's adopted car parking standards the restaurant does not have enough parking to cope with the increase in customers.

Planning officers say access to the 15 spaces currently available is already too narrow and traffic entering or leaving the small car park of the next-door Bossa Nova restaurant has added to manoeuvering problems.

Mr Aslam said: "All the car parks around here are empty at night. We have given the Council a survey of car parking facilities which says this.

Councillor Tony Miller (Lab, Shipley East) said: "Most people use the restaurant in the evening when other businesses are closed which frees up parking in Saltaire Road and the large Saville Street car park behind the business. Refusing this application will adversley affect the regeneration of Shipley."

Shipley Area Planning Panel will consider the application on Thursday from 10am at Shipley Town Hall.