PLANS to turn a car showroom in a major Bradford route into supported accommodation for 16-25-year-olds have been deemed unacceptable.

The scheme would have seen a single storey brick building on Manchester Road, near Carrbottom Road, converted into a residential home for nine young people.

But planners have raised “significant concerns” with the details of the proposals for the commercial site and the impact on both neighbouring businesses, and future occupants of this facility.

One of their main concerns is a lack of private outdoor space at the site and the plans, from Shama Amin, a registered early years provider, who wants to become a social care provider, have been refused.

A report by Bradford Council planners states: “This facility will be home to nine young people, therefore it is considered appropriate to take guidance from the Council’s recently adopted Homes and Neighbourhoods Supplementary Planning Document.

“This document states that all homes must have direct access to private outdoor space, that is appropriately sized and has the potential to function as a garden.

“There are no areas at the rear of this site and all open areas would be publicly visible. No effort has been made to address this or to introduce a safe space for outdoor recreation or seating, that could be used by future occupants.

“The recent pandemic has highlighted the importance of good quality outdoor spaces serving residential sites and this large tarmacked surface, with a shared access to the neighbouring use is not acceptable.”

Planners do agree that the external changes, including new windows to the rear, would improve the look of the building.

But the report goes on to say that layouts of the rooms must ensure adequate privacy, but openings to the bedrooms at the rear would be directly overlooked by those in the properties opposite at Rathmell Street.

In addition 14 metres is not considered an acceptable distance between habitable room windows from this property to neighbours, meaning both sets of windows would “suffer significant overlooking”.

The report goes on to say: “Overall, the lack of useable outdoor amenity for future occupants and the significant impact by way of overlooking are not considered to have an acceptable impact on neighbours. The proposal would also not present a good standard of living for future occupants.”

Three objections have been lodged with planners, detailing concerns around it being close to an existing nursery, a lack of information about who the occupants will be and a lack of secure outdoor space and doors are straight on to the street.

Planning officers have also raised issues around pedestrian access to the site, which currently has access for vehicles only and no pedestrian walkway to the front.

"Although a new opening is proposed in the side of the property, this is described as an emergency escape door and as been assessed as such. Located in a dark enclosed space between this and neighbouring properties, it would not be suitable for a main full-time access as it is not easily overlooked and would raise safety concerns for pedestrians."

The plans were refused by officers for three reasons: a lack of private outside space, unacceptable access arrangements and an inadequate level of privacy.