PLANS to refurbish a "proud old building" on North Parade have been approved by Bradford Council.

In May plans for alterations to Grade II listed Iqbal House, built in the 1870s, were revealed.

The building's ground floor business would remain, but the building's basement would be converted into office space, and the upper floors converted into flats, including duplex apartments.

The building, in Bradford's Top of Town area, has been a church institute and a Pakistani Consulate in its time.

Planning officers said much of the building: "Is empty and in need of attention following a series of unsympathetic alterations to accommodate previous uses."

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Approving the scheme, they added: "The application is well considered and great detail is provided identifying original features that can be repaired and reincorporated into the new proposals.

"The proposed conversion works will bring an underappreciated grade II listed building back into use and in turn this will secure its future preservation.

"Re-purposing this building will also have a positive impact on the surrounding area."

The building's owners are eligible to apply for Townscape Heritage funding.

The National Lottery funded scheme provides support for owners to restore buildings in the Top of Town area to their Victorian glory.