Planning expert blocks shisha bar's later opening

The owners of Rehana Lounge asked to extend opening times from 23:00 to 02:00

A national planning inspector has dismissed an appeal to allow a shisha lounge in Bradford to open until 02:00.

They said allowing the late opening for Rehana Lounge on White Abbey Road would cause "significant detrimental impact on the living conditions" of people living nearby.

The venue had previously applied twice to Bradford Council and was rejected both times before launching the appeal.

The inspector said extending the opening hours had the "potential to generate noise and disturbance which would be unduly intrusive at such late hours".

Rehana Lounge, which has an outdoor balcony space, applied to extend opening hours in 2023 beyond the previously agreed 23:00.

That application was refused by Bradford Council in March 2024.

A second, slightly amended, application was then submitted and refused by a planning panel in December.

That second refusal led to applicant Mr Ali appealing the decision, meaning a government-appointed inspector would have the final say, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In his appeal, Mr Ali said there was no evidence of noise nuisance and objectors had provided "no expert evidence" of their concerns.

But the inspector's decision said the number of homes close by meant the location was "a noise sensitive environment" and would be affected by customers arriving and leaving as well as the outdoor terrace.

"The extended opening hours have the potential to generate noise and disturbance which would be unduly intrusive at such late hours and detract from the quality of life experienced by the occupiers of homes on Hardaker Street in particular," the inspector said.

"Whilst the existing noise levels are high, this is more a reason to ensure that the situation for residents does not deteriorate rather than justifying further adverse impact, and I consider that there would be a significant detrimental impact on their living conditions."

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