CONSERVATIONISTS have thrown their weight behind local authority aims to relax planning rules to help regenerate historic Little Germany.

The famous merchants' quarter is expected to become the first place in the UK to benefit from a new scheme which would make it easier to make internal alterations to 45 listed properties.

It is hoped that the Local Listed Building Consent orders will help boost occupancy rates as around a third of the buildings are unused.

The Bradford Council plans have been welcomed by Historic England - formerly English Heritage - in a consultation document.

Historic England called the scheme an "innovative approach", saying: "The Council is giving serious and proper consideration to the challenges of vacancy rates with the former office and warehouse premises."

Historic England, which selected Little Germany for the scheme, has now suggested that it could be extended to other parts of Bradford.

The conservation body has reminded the Council of the requirement to consult it if there are plans to alter any buildings which are listed as Grade I or Grade II*.

Dave West, director of local group Little Germany Action, said he was supportive of the right kind of development, but would not welcome anything that would "lower the tone" such as "bedsits".

"They need to make sure the development that does happen is about quality rather than lowering the tone of the area," he said.

Archaeologists with the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service have expressed cautious support for the proposals, but they want to be consulted on any future planning applications to ensure the derails are quickly and properly assessed.

The Advisory Service said: "We would wish to see accurate information about the potential impact of the works supplied and make suggestions of additional requirements to ensure that this can be quickly and accurately assessed."

In response to these concerns, the Council said the new rules would only have a limited or neutral impact on the significance of any building.

In a report it added: "The works will be the minimum necessary to allow the change of use and will not allow the removal of significant internal or external features or large areas of historic fabric."

One resident who responded to Council consultation, raised concerns that the scheme would lead to the opening of "drinking establishments" with the potential for noise disturbance to residents.

The unnamed resident told the Council: "Residents already often experience disturbance from existing premises and an increase in such establishments and their associated footfall, client noise and entertainment noise would be extremely detrimental to the residents in the area."

In response, the Council said that, even if drinking establishments were opened under the new rules, a requirement for a licence to operate into the night, or to sell alcohol, would remain.

"It is therefore considered that there will be adequate opportunities to safeguard the amenities of local residents through these processes," the report said.

Members of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee will discuss the outcome of consultation at a meeting on Wednesday, June 17.

They will be asked for their views before the matter is considered by the Council's Executive committee.