The owner of a restaurant has hit back at residents’ claims it will attract gangs of drunken revellers, litter and noise if it is allowed to open until 3am.

Quaisar Aziz’s Bradford-based company Hanq Investments is set to open a steak house in Rooley Lane, Bradford, at the northern end of the M606, after securing planning permission from Bradford Council.

However, he has put in a new application to keep it open until 3am on weekends.

Neighbours living in Rooley Avenue, opposite the site, fear their lives will be blighted if it is allowed to open later than 10pm.

Steven Kaushal, 38, said: “Our two neighbours work at the Total garage nearby and have told us of problems of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and violence due to people coming onto their forecourt to purchase alcohol 24 hours a day.

“Should this venue open until 3am, it is going to attract even more people and gangs hanging about.”

City Hall planners have recommended councillors refuse the application when Bradford Area Planning Panel meets tomorrow.

Mr Aziz said there was no intention to serve alcohol and visitors to the steak house would not be able to bring their own alcoholic drinks.

The restaurant, which is on the site of the former Little Chef, would give the area a jobs boost, he said.

He added: "Our presence will stop people coming and causing trouble.”

Read more on this story in today's T&A