A retrospective planning submission to keep an unauthorised cafe in place has been withdrawn before a decision could be made.
The proposal for Tea O Clock, situated on the grounds of Chacha’s Plaza along Ingleby Road, was pulled from consideration on Monday.
The plans had been scheduled for review by a planning committee just two days later.
No explanation accompanied the withdrawal.
The decision arrived shortly after planning officials prepared documentation recommending rejection of the application.
Their assessment described the establishment as poorly designed and built with substandard materials.
Construction at the site concluded in late 2024, though no planning submission had been made at any stage.
A retrospective application seeking to regularise the business situation was filed during the summer months by Anwar Bashir.
Chacha’s Plaza occupies the former Westfield House premises, which previously housed the Grattan catalogue business.
In 2021, Bradford Council granted approval for conversion of the structure into a community hall, games room, educational spaces and communal dining facility.
The venue now operates under the Chacha’s Plaza name, promoting itself as a location featuring multiple retail outlets and food vendors that draws considerable foot traffic.
The cafe in question sits at the front of the property.
According to the submission documentation, the establishment enhances the commercial environment rather than functioning as an isolated venture.
Twelve individuals registered objections to the proposal, citing inadequate parking arrangements and the establishment’s unfavourable appearance.
A single letter of endorsement was received from a local councillor, whose identity was not disclosed in the planning officers’ assessment.
That correspondence drew attention to capital invested in the business over recent years and potential financial consequences should approval be denied.
The officers’ report recommending refusal outlined several concerns.
The structure was described as creating a visually intrusive element both within the site and alongside the main plaza building.
The use of uPVC cladding combined with low-quality glazed sections reportedly gave the impression of a temporary rather than permanent installation.
The construction was deemed to represent poor design and inadequate materials, creating a jarring visual feature in this prominent roadside position that significantly detracts from the character of the site and surrounding street environment.
Officials also flagged potential highway implications, warning that vehicles associated with the cafe could park on the adjoining road, thereby impeding traffic flow along Ingleby Road, which forms part of Bradford’s busy Outer Ring Road.
The report acknowledged the presence of another unauthorised cafe structure on the premises but noted that this additional development also lacks approval and remains subject to enforcement proceedings.