PLANS have been lodged to convert part of an industrial complex in Northowram into a cafe and restaurant, following approval to create a Co-op store on the wider site.

The restaurant scheme relates to a rear workshop at the Tannery Business Centre off Bradford Road, and would see an older part of the complex converted into the eatery.

Part of the wider building complex - fronting Bradford Road - is set to be demolished as part of plans for a Co-op store and two shop units, which was approved in December.

This latest application for The Tannery has been lodged by The Motorcycle Buying Group.

A planning and heritage statement accompanying the plans to Calderdale Council states: "The premises are part of the former Tannery which is now in use as an industrial complex with a number of units established within the shell of the building.

"A recent planning permission has granted approval to demolish a large modern building at the front of the Tannery to facilitate the creation of a car park in association with the conversion of part of the building to form a Co-Op store and two retail units.

"In doing so the scheme reveals the front of the older building to the benefit of the street scene and retains the use of the premises for retail opportunities on the lower ground floor to ensure the longevity of the more attractive heritage buildings already on site."

The proposal itself is to use the lower ground floor and part of the upper ground floor as a restaurant and cafe, although no details are provided as to the style of food to be served.

The document adds: "The car parking at the front of the building is for the Co-op and the existing retail element of the lower ground floor units. Further direct access is also proposed at the upper ground floor level."

"Providing facilities of this type in a local centre is a sustainable form of development that reduces the need to travel. Combined trips can be made as the local school lies nearby and the public

transport network provides high frequency bus routes along Bradford Road with direct access to larger centres further reducing carbon emissions."

The site itself is within the Northowram Conservation Area and the report adds that the previous application for the Co-op, whereby part of the modern building at the front of the Tannery would be removed to create a car park, was "considered to have a positive impact on the conservation area".

"Revealing the arches of the original building will introduce a welcomed addition to the street scene and revealing the internal scale of the original mill will add a historic context to the conversion. The

proposed A3 use allows for the scale and internal features of the building to be showcased and this would not necessarily be possible in other uses such as retail, residential or office uses where more

subdivision of the original space might be required."

No other external alterations to the existing building are required to create the new cafe and restaurant.

A decision is expected to be made by September 1.