Asian fashion department store plan refused

Proposals for a "flagship" department store in Bradford have been refused, with planners saying the development could draw business away from the city's existing retail centres.

Earlier this year Asian fashion store Janan announced plans to expand from its store on Shearbridge Road.

The company said the move would create more storage space and allow the business to stock a wider product range, particularly in its menswear department.

But Bradford Council planning officers said the location on the outskirts of the city centre went against current planning policy on large shops.

The company's application said: "Janan Fashions is an underestimated business in Bradford, its national standing and position in the Asian fashion is something Bradford needs to support its development along with other businesses within the city."

As well as a large extension to the building, the car park on the site would be expanded from 35 to 50 spaces, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But officers argued large shop developments should be based in existing "retail centres" such as city centres or high streets.

Highways officers also raised concerns about the application.

Janan was founded in Bradford in 2011, and has 10 stores across the UK. It is now one of the country's biggest Indian and Pakistani fashion brands.

Refusing the application, planning officers said: "The applicant has not submitted any supporting planning and retail assessment and therefore has not been robust in outlining their approach to sequential assessment and/or highlighting any likely impact that the proposal may have on the vitality and viability of all relevant retail centres.

"It is therefore concluded that the proposal cannot be fully assessed from a retail point of view."

Highways officers said: "The development is likely to result in unsafe manoeuvring within the site and overspill onto the public highway, to the detriment of highway safety and the free flow of traffic."

Another reason for refusing the application was that the development had "potential negative implications for bats".

Officers said: "A bat survey is required due to a likely impact on bat flight paths for foraging and social behaviours.

"No survey has been provided to evaluate this threat and detail any mitigation measures that may be required."

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