Plans to turn former Bradford travel agents with tragic past into restaurant refused
116 – 120 Morley Street is a former travel agents, and in 2005 PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot and killed outside the business when responding to a robbery.
PLANS to turn a city centre building with a tragic past into a restaurant called “Phat Spuds” have been refused by Bradford Council.
116 – 120 Morley Street is a former travel agents, and in 2005 PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot and killed outside the business when responding to a robbery.
There is a memorial stone for the fallen officer outside the building.
Last year a planning application was submitted to Bradford Council to convert the then derelict building into a restaurant.
The application, submitted by R Moghul, said the building “carried a stain” due to its association to the crime.
But this week Bradford Council has refused a planning application for works to convert the building into a restaurant, and an advertising consent application for new signage to the building.
The signage – for a business called Phat Spuds – has already been installed.
The building is located in the Little Horton Lane Conservation area, and Conservation Officers raised concerns about the proposed signage.
Heritage officer Komal Patil said: “It is advised that any signage instead adopts heritage-appropriate colours along with clear, unobtrusive lettering and logos.”
The sign that has been installed is a bright orange colour and features a cartoon potato.
Refusing the advertising application, planning officers said: “The design of the fascia sign is poor and has formed a large strident feature which dominates the principal elevation of the building with the colours and design of the sign, font and logo within it further amplifying its obtrusive appearance.”
On the application to convert the building into a restaurant, which will include the addition of a rear external extraction flue, air conditioning units and bin storage area, officers said: “It is evident from visiting the site that works have commenced before the application has been determined.
“The building is stated to have an existing Class E use with the building having many changes of use over the years with the last known use to be a travel agent.
“As both the existing and proposed uses (restaurant) fall within the same use class, Class E, a material change of use will not occur.
“Internal alterations do not amount to development requiring planning permission; however, permission is required for any external alterations.
“Limited supporting documents have been submitted with this application. The agent requested an extension of time to provide information to address consultee comments, however, no additional supporting information has been provided.
“The proposal fails to explain how the extraction system will adequately prevent cooking odours from affecting nearby residents with no odour impact assessment or a comprehensive noise impact assessment being submitted with this application. Without such documents it is not possible to determine the potential odour nuisance and noise impacts from this proposal and how it would be mitigated.”