A ONE bed flat in the basement of a betting shop would have “exceptionally little daylight” – planners have argued.

Bradford Council has refused plans to convert the basement of 67-69 Market Street in Thornton into a flat, saying the new dwelling would provide a “poor quality of life” for any future residents.

The application, submitted by Zainab Barwaniwala, is for the basement beneath the village’s Coral Bookmakers – and a short distance from the birthplace of the Bronte Sisters.

It says a bricked up window would be opened back up, and lightwells and a patio door would be installed to increase light into the underground flat.

The application adds: “The proposals will provide affordable accommodation within the centre of an existing village.”

But planning officers raised serious concerns about the plans. Refusing the application, they said: “The dwelling would have exceptionally little natural daylight.

“It would largely be restricted to the daylight from the 'French door' opening. Given this entrance would be overshadowed by surrounding and above structures anyway, the resulting effect would be next to no natural daylight for the entirety of the dwelling.

“The proposed lightwell would be considered unlikely to generate significant natural daylight also.

“This would be considered to result in significant harm to the amenity of any future occupants of the dwelling, and a poor quality of life.”