A FORMER Kashmiri restaurant in the district could soon be converted into a McDonald's.

Kashmiri Aroma shut its branch between Burley in Wharfedale and Ilkley last month after its lease on the building ended.

Now a planning application for a number of works to the building has been submitted to Bradford Council.

And the application reveals that the changes will be made so the building can become the latest McDonald's chain to open in the Bradford district.

The fast food giant says the branch will “fulfil a demand for McDonald's services in the area".

It says the business will create 42 full-time and 18 part-time staff.

The nearest McDonald's branches to Ilkley are currently Keighley or Guiseley.

The restaurant was built in the 1980s, originally as a Little Chef, before becoming Kashmiri Aroma.

Unlike many new McDonald's restaurants, this branch would not be a new build – the existing restaurant would instead be converted and retain much of its features.

The application for the now vacant Coutances Way building, submitted this week, is for works including a double-storey extension to the rear, a replacement cold room to the rear and new landscaping of the site.

There will be 31 car parking spaces, and the store is expected to open from 8am to midnight.

The plans are for a “drive to” restaurant, and the plans show that there will not be the drive-thru service seen at many other branches.

Because the building is already classed as a restaurant and takeaway, McDonald's will not need to apply to change the building’s use, and the application is only for minor changes to the building.

The application says: “McDonald's are content to trade from the premises under the existing planning approvals (ie in terms of permitted use, operating hours - trading from 8am up till midnight etc) but wish to make some minor alterations to the building/car park prior to opening for trade.

“The proposals will bring this prominent and recently vacated building back into active use, providing a new restaurant in a highly accessible location and fulfilling a demand for McDonald’s services in this area.”

The building technically lies in the Green Belt, but the company argues that as it is just moving into an existing building, the work will not fall foul of Green Belt policies.

A decision on the application is expected in August.