RETROSPECTIVE plans to turn a former care home into bedsits have been refused.

The property, 16 – 18 Leylands Lane in Heaton, had been a care home until last year, when it was inspected by the Care Quality Commission and judged inadequate for a second time.

Since then the home has shut and been converted into a “house in multiple occupation,” with bedsits for 15 occupants, without planning permission.

Applicant Mr Agrawal submitted a retrospective application for the building, and it came before Bradford Council’s Bradford Area Planning Panel yesterday.

Numerous neighbours had objected to the plans, saying the flats had led to anti social behaviour and harmed the area.

Members of the panel raised concerns over parking – there were only six spaces for the residents. Planning officers said they would normally only require seven for this type of development.

Councillor Mohammed Shabbir (lab, Heaton) spoke on behalf of residents. He said: “There is a big difference between a residential home and a house in multiple occupation. There is a huge impact on the local area.

“We would like this property to be residential, but for two families, not for 14 people who are only living in the area on a transitory basis.”

Chair Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said he was familiar with the road, and there were already problems with traffic and parking.

Members then refused the plans on traffic grounds.