Shop owners say the security of their businesses may be at risk if they are forced to take down metal shutters to comply with planning regulations.

Businesses in Oak Lane, Manningham, have been told by Bradford Council they must apply for planning permission for their shop fronts and shutters to ensure they are in keeping with the area’s conservation status.

Asim Mahmood, owner of Appetisers, has been issued with an enforcement notice after his application for planning permission was refused.

He said: “I spent about £6,500 on my windows and shutters. There are about 65 shops in Oak Lane and 55 of them have aluminium shutters.

“I want to know how the area is benefiting from being a conservation area. The Council wants Victorian style shop frontage but Oak Lane’s in a high risk area.”

Ikhlaq Matloob, owner of Solly Food Store, said he had installed shutters on the shop after two break-ins in the last year.

He said: “If I’m working all day I can’t be like a guard dog all night. Now I have the shutters I can sleep like a baby. Wooden frames do look nice but there’s no security on them.”

Councillor Mohammad Amin said he had been contacted by around 30 business owners about the issue. He said: “We are arranging a meeting to find some solutions. We want to resolve this issue.”

Bradford Council’s Planning Casework Manager, Mohammed Yousuf, said: “If people are unclear about what type of shutters or shop fronts they can, they can either pick up a design guide at the Council planning offices or look it up on the Council website. Business owners can install shutters provided they obtain the necessary permission.”

The meeting will take place on Thursday, July 29 at 6pm at the Sweet Centre in Lumb Lane.