PLANS to convert a Windhill pub into nine flats have been refused by Bradford Council as planners said the "development would provide unsatifactory living conditions for future occupants".

The applicant, Michael Raymond Smith, had requested permission to change of use from The Woodend public house into nine residential apartments at Woodend Crescent, Windhill.

The proposal to redevelop the former pub included a mix of flats, including four one-bed, four two-bed and one three-bed apartments.

In the design and access statement, the agent, Mirfield-based Orange Design Studio said: "The proposal will set out to offer a robust, high quality and realistic scheme by making use of an existing structure and lifting the overall appeal of the area."

In planning officer Lucie Fillingham's report, she wrote: "It is acknowledged the Woodend Public House is a detracting feature and that it could lend itself to being redeveloped for residential purposes given the character and appearance of the surrounding local area.

"However, given the number of flats shown and the restricted nature of the site it would result in living conditions of future occupants which would be substandard in terms of outlook and achievable internal light levels to the detriment of the amenities of these occupants.

"The layout of the car park area gives rise to concerns as to highway safety and its finished appearance. For these reasons, the planning balance is weighted against the scheme. A less intensive solution is called for."

In the decision notice, Bradford Council planners outlined three reasons for refusal.

The first reason, they wrote: "The development would provide unsatisfactory living conditions for future occupants of seven of the proposed nine flats due to the lack of achievable natural light and the restricted outlook due in part to the design of windows, room configurations and proximity of the boundary wall at the rear of the building.

"The amount of bin storage is inadequate for a development of this size and inconveniently sited for most residents to use.

"For these reasons, the proposal would fail to provide good standards of amenity for future occupiers of the flats.

The second reason, they wrote: "The proposed parking layout will require vehicles to manoeuvre in and out of the site in close proximity to the junction of Woodend Crescent and Wrose Brow Road.

"Furthermore, there is no physical barrier or landscaping to separate the parking apron from the public footway, which would lead to conflicts between members of the public using the footway.

"For these reasons, the proposal fails to take a design-led approach to car parking that supports the street scene and pedestrian environment and would be detriment of public and highway safety."

The third reason, they wrote: "The setting of the building is dominated by hard-surfacing of vehicle access and parking areas, particularly when seen from public vantage points, leading to a poor quality residential environment to the detriment of visual amenity and local character."