PLANS for a major expansion at a Bradford health centre have been knocked back by Bradford Council.

The Parklands Medical Practice in Buttershaw Lane, Wibsey, submitted an application to build a new two-storey extension to the front.

A new porch to the rear of the building, a new staircase, and a new platform lift to replace the existing ramp for disability access were all also included in the application, along with additional parking spaces.

The proposals had been made to create a larger waiting area for the doctor’s surgery and pharmacy, as well as a new consulting room on the upper ground floor, and a new multi-functional space on the lower ground floor.

It would have also made the lower ground floor accessible to wheelchair users, thanks to the new lobby to the rear of the building.

In the application’s planning statement, it said: “The primary driver for the proposed building and site layout is to increase the accessibility of the lower and upper ground floor facilities for all users.

“The site is multi-level and the proposal resolves the ability for wheelchair users to access all levels without discomfort.”

As well as the changes to the medical practice building, the plans also set out to alter the “restrictive” car park.

It continued: “The existing car park layout is restrictive for vehicle manoeuvrability.

“The proposal increases the distance between opposing bays in accordance with current best practice and increases the number of disabled parking bays.”

An extra two disabled parking spaces would have been created as part of the plans.

However, planning officers from Bradford Council refused to grant the surgery planning permission.

Planning officer Matthew Aveyard said: “The application as submitted provides insufficient information to enable its proper consideration by the Local Planning Authority.

“In particular, there is inadequate information on the site ground conditions to ensure there are no issues in terms of stability and contamination.”

Local resident Janet Leedham, of Buttershaw Lane, had also objected to the plans, stating concerns over visitors parking in the street due to the car park being full, and additional traffic caused by people visiting the pharmacy.

She also claimed bin wagons cannot currently get into the practice car park as their is not enough room, leaving refuse collectors having to carry bags from the practice to the wagon parked in the main road.