PLANS to increase the number of people living in a house of multiple occupation to 29 have been refused.

An application to create four extra bedsits at 2 Oak Mount, a large property in Manningham currently used as an HMO for 25 people, would reduce the amount of useable living space in the property at the same time as increasing the amount of people living there.

The building is a former care home that has been converted into a HMO in recent years, and the application by Shahid Bhatti says it is currently at capacity.

The application is to convert rooms including a laundry, office and lounge into extra bedrooms.

Ornate ceilings in these rooms would be covered with a suspended ceiling to “ensure they will not be damaged by any residents.”

But planners at Bradford Council have now refused the application.

They said: “The demand for living space will increase from 25 to 29 people. This is on top of the additional pressure for the very limited available bath and shower facilities.

Referring to the current policies for such homes, planners said: “Plans should demonstrate that there is enough space for all inhabitants to socialise.

“The proposal will add four additional bedrooms to an HMO which already has limited ablution, living, kitchen and dining space.

“The proposal will also further reduce the available living space for both existing and future residents.”