PLANS to convert a Bournemouth home into a block of flats have been refused after concerns were raised by council planning, highways, waste, flood and tree officers.

Daniel Raoof applied to BCP Council saying his plans to redevelop the Queens Park Avenue house into six one- and two-bed flats were “carefully balanced” to limit their impact on neighbours.

Despite this, half a dozen people living nearby wrote in opposition to his application, warning it would “increase the risks” to schoolchildren who use the road.

Submitted in June, the proposals sought permission for the conversion of the existing building along with the construction of a new extension.

“Given the substantial length of the plot, the amount of development ensures that the majority of the site can be left, preserving the character and appearance of the area,” a statement submitted with the application says.

“Overall, it is considered that the submitted scheme has created a carefully-balanced and attractive proposal which would not represent overdevelopment of the site.”

Included in the proposals was the provision of six parking spaces and a cycle store.

But neighbours of the home said the new development would make the road less safe.

Jiashun Li said: “Queens Park Avenue is very busy and a shortcut from Charminster High Street to the Wessex Way.

“The road is used by young cyclists attending local schools and the lack of visibility in the street is a serious accident waiting to happen.

“Additional cars parking near to the Fiveways roundabout will definitely increase the traffic congestion as well as adding risks to school children.”

Ward councillor Cheryl Johnson also wrote in opposition to the application.

Council officers raised concerns about the shortfall of two parking spaces against its policy, “unsightly” bin storage and that the new parking area fell within root protection areas of two protected sycamores.

Council planning officer Richard Cable refused to grant planning permission, despite accepting it would boost housing numbers.

“The scheme would potentially harm highway safety and result in a poor standard of residential development having regard to the living conditions of future occupiers,” his report published last week says.

“The proposals would result in an intensification in use and urbanisation of the site that would be contrary to the less intensive suburban development common in the area.

“The scheme would also potentially increase the risk of localised flooding.”