Expanded scope for re-development of city centre building

Plans to refurbish Grade II listed Conditioning House on Cape Street, turning it into apartments, were approved by Bradford Council last year.

And now a new application for the site has been submitted, one that would see a mezzanine floor built on the building’s third floor, allowing for an extra 17 apartments to be created.

Applicants Priestley Homes said the alterations to the plans came after the work on the building began, and developers realised the roof of the building “is in better condition than expected.”

The application comes shortly after it was revealed Conditioning House was one of a number of “heritage buildings” in Bradford that could share £7.4 million worth of funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority to kick start redevelopment works.

The Authority approved the funding last year, but has remained tight lipped on which three Bradford buildings would share the pot.

Three heritage buildings to undergo £31 million transformation after West Yorkshire Combined Authority grant

At a meeting of the Combined Authority today, members were given a list of future items to be discussed by the Authority, including Bradford Heritage Properties – Conditioning House.

The Grade II listed building was built in 1902 to check and control the moisture content of textiles.

Almost 70 per cent of all wool produced in the UK was brought there for testing prior to use at one point.

It is the only one of its kind in this country, but has been empty for over three decades.

When the plans were approved last year, Priestley Homes said the development would cost around £8.55 million. It would see the imposing building converted into 133 one, two and three bedroom flats, office space, a gym and cafe.

If the new plans are approved, the scheme would have 150 flats - 17 more than originally planned.

Nathan Priestley, chief executive officer of the Priestley Group, said: "Works at Conditioning House have been ongoing since October, starting with the monumental task of removing asbestos and 50 years’ build-up of waste throughout the building. This is now completed and we are now undertaking painstaking work internally to repair and replace rotten timber joist and roof trusses. This is being done in sections to protect the building, carry out the work safely and ensure the structure of the building is improved ready for its new use.

“Furthermore, roof works are just about to be signed off for the full replacement of all roofs. We anticipate that scaffolding will then start to be erected within a month and roofing starting thereafter.

“Our planning submission is for a complete redesign of the proposed top floor. Since removing all waste and existing ceilings, we have uncovered fantastic king trusses. Due to this, we have incorporated mezzanine and duplex levels into the scheme to take full advantage of this space and keep all of the trusses exposed. These have resulted in our plans for some fantastic penthouse apartments, which we are confident will become the best apartments in the whole of Bradford city centre once completed.

“Regarding the funding with West Yorkshire Combined Authority – we are going through an application process, which must go through the authorities’ due diligence and compliance processes. We are very hopeful they will support the scheme and hope to have a response in June.

“Bradford Council has been fantastic in assisting in us during this process.

“We also must give plaudits to the city’s planning authority, which has also worked pragmatically with us in achieving something special at Conditioning House. We develop across the country and can honestly say that Bradford planners are the best we have worked with. They have communicated their requirements fantastically and have been directly involved in ensuring this building will be a testament to the city for some time to come.”

Bradford Council will decide whether to approve the changes to the plans in mid June.