A business owner’s retrospective plans for a fish and chip shop right next to another chippie have been refused.

Sticker Lane Fisheries, in Laisterdyke, has been turned down by Bradford Council for a “change of use” application.

Owner, Rachel Denton, wanted to change the premises' use from cafe/snack bar (A3) to a hot food takeaway (A).

These were retrospective plans, with the business already running as a fisheries before submitting the “change of use” application.

Companies House shows that 'Sticker Lane Fisheries' was incorporated in April 2019.

There were two main reasons for the plans being turned down, according to 'The Refusal of Planning Permission' document.

It states that the proposal went against “one of the core principles of the Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document”.

That is, Sticker Lane Fisheries is within close proximity (400m) of two recreational grounds, the document adds.

The proposal is also considered to be harmful to highway safety.

The report states: “The location of the site within close proximity to the very busy junction of Sticker Lane and Parry Lane, an A5 use is considered unacceptable and inappropriate for the location.

“The only parking available is on the small forecourt of the site, with a heavy reliance on parking provided by other businesses within the row and this would result in potential customers parking dangerously near the junction and exacerbating current parking issues.”

There were 46 objection comments and 32 comments of support.

Those against the proposal focused mainly on the fact the proposed chippie is next-door to the “established” Parry Lane Fisheries and people were also concerned that Sticker Lane Fisheries had been able to operate without the correct licence for so long.

The planning officer’s report states that some objection comments also mention “existing parking problems becoming worse”.

Mrs Susan Sykes said: “Sticker Lane doesn’t need two fish and chip shops - the traffic and parking situation on there isn’t very good at the best of times.

“Also if this chip shop has the incorrect licence, how have they been allowed to trade for as long as they have?”

Comments also bring up “civil matters” which includes “an ongoing dispute between the owner of the applicant property and the neighbouring fish and chip shop”.

The 32 comments of support relate to people being impressed with the chippie’s service, improving business in the community and making Sticker Lane a “destination”, and also workers in the area having somewhere to go for lunch.

Others focused on a need for competition to keep prices fair and also claimed the change of use would not have a negative impact on traffic.

Miss Donna Broadbent said: “I used the fish and chip shop on Cutler Heights or Holme Wood before this shop opened.

“Cutler Heights has gone now so this has replaced it.

“If there was only one of any business in our area they could charge us whatever they liked.

“We can spend our money where we like and businesses have to charge fair prices.

“The traffic would be worse if they stayed eating in - cars would be parked longer.

“Take-out would move the traffic on faster.”

But, the planning officer’s report also stated that, while all comments had been taken into account, very little of them contained planning related matters.