Bradford Street Food Hub Proposal Rejected Over Safety Concerns

A proposal to establish a street food hub at a busy intersection in Bradford has been denied approval, citing road safety concerns. The planned establishment was intended for a triangular parcel of land situated between Thornton Road and Listerhills Road, and it was designed to feature six food vendors along with public seating. Officials from Bradford Council expressed apprehension that introducing multiple vendors to the confined plot, which lacks pedestrian crossings, would create excessive risks for pedestrian safety. Dubbed TriYard, the proposals submitted by Mi7 Projects Ltd characterized the project as “a vibrant and eclectic experience where visitors can savour flavours from around the world in a single, lively location”. In 2023, Bradford Council had previously issued temporary planning permission for a street food business utilizing a “renovated vintage vehicle” on the same site. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a stipulation of this earlier approval mandated that the location be vacated within two years of the business’s commencement. Highways officers expressed significant concern regarding the projected “lively location,” believing the site would be unable to manage an increase in both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. They commented: “The proposal would also lead to an increase in the number of vehicular movements. There is significant competition for on-street parking locally and although it is acknowledged that the site is within a short distance of the city centre, there is no off-street parking provided.” Even without specific details regarding the food offerings from the vendors, planning officers additionally voiced health concerns, attributing them to the site’s close proximity to Bradford College, a YMCA, and a Laser Zone attraction. They further remarked: “The takeaways proposed could have significant potential to increase health inequalities in this area, which would not be acceptable.”