AN DENTISTRY firm is bidding to convert former Bradford Council offices into an orthodontist practice.

Trinity House Orthodontics has applied for the change of use of the ground floor of 55 Well Street, Bradford, from offices employing six staff from the start.

The ground floor of Grade II-listed Kershaw House, building in 1865, was previously the base for the council's Skills for Work unit.

The premises are currently available to let since the Council vacated the premises and moved to St Peters House on nearby Forster Court.

Trinity House Orthodontics is a Yorkshire-based specialist orthodontic practice which provides treatment of braces to children and young adults on the NHS.

The firm wants to expand into the Bradford district and is intending to open the practice in the building opposite the Broadway Shopping Centre.

As part of the expansion the planning documents say the practice "will seek to increase its varying level of roles from an orthodontist and orthodontic therapists to dental nurses and receptionist, which will be recruited from the local area and therefore provide a sustainable employment opportunity".

It says that due to the majority of patients starting their treatments between the ages of 12 and 16 years, a practice in the Bradford city centre will result in less travelling time will be needed, benefitting the patients, parents or legal guardians who have to attend with the patient and less disruption to their education needs.

The practice will operate on an ‘appointment only’ basis and Trinity House says it is anticipated that there will be on average approximately 40 patients per day.

The operating hours would be from 8am to 7.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and no opening on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

It says there is an emerging requirement to work evenings and Saturdays to cater for schoolchildren who are unable to miss time during school hours to be treated.

The property has been available to let for at least two months and since the property has been made available, the only firm interest to date has been from the orthodontist practice.

The planning document considers that the use of the unit will add to the vitality and viability of the city centre.

In the application the company says it seeks to make no alteration to the existing facade of the building, which forms part of the Little Germany Conservation Area, with changes solely relating to internal to facilitate the use as an orthodontist practice.

It also says the change of use will ensure the continued upkeep of this part of the listed building.