A TAXI operator flouting regulations may have his bid for a taxi booking office thrown out.

The Examiner revealed that Shahid Parvez was operating at least 10 times more taxis than he was allowed from a terraced house on a main road in Marsh.

His original planning application for Marsh Cars granted for 12 months in November last year is due to run out soon.

It stated: "The permission hereby granted shall be limited to the use at any one time of one licensed private hire car only to be operated by a permanent resident of 48 Westbourne Road, Marsh."

But he accepts he was operating far more vehicles than that.

Now he has applied to use 48 Westbourne Road as a taxi booking office to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week - and councillors are due to make a decision about it at tomorrow's Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee.

Kirklees officials have recommended refusal on the grounds it would disrupt the lives of people living nearby and concerns over parking.

There have been nine objections including one from Marsh Community Forum which states: "There are vacant retail units in Marsh so it is not considered necessary to convert a dwelling house into a business."

Planners say the application was submitted with 13 letters and a 119-signature petition supporting it.

In their report to the committee, Kirklees planners say: "Permission was granted in November 2005 for the operation of one private hire vehicle from the application premises.

"It would appear, however, that for several months the premises have been used as a booking office for approximately 12 taxis. The taxis operate on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week."

They add: "Although in theory a booking office should operate without taxis calling at the premises, Environmental Services have reservations about the potential for nuisance to residents.

"There is a similar nearby taxi office in Marsh, but this is located within a row of properties that are more commercial in nature.

"Highways Services also have reservations in respect of traffic generation and parking facilities.

"On balance, refusal is recommended on grounds of nuisance to residents and insufficient parking for the number of vehicles proposed."

A Kirklees planning spokeswoman gave further background information about the application.

She said: "The planning service was made aware that Mr Parvez was not adhering to his 2005 permission in July this year.

"The planning enforcement section spoke to him in August and Mr Parvez agreed to submit a planning application for his current activities in operating a taxi booking office.

"The application was received on September 8. It is not normal procedure to pursue enforcement action whilst an application for the use is being considered.

"The application is due to be considered at the planning sub-committee this Thursday and if the meeting rejects the application, enforcement action can be considered if the use as a taxi office continues.

"However, the applicant will have the right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against a refusal or any enforcement action that might be taken."