A LISTED villa in Manningham could soon be used as accommodation for the homeless.

Carlton Manor on Parkfield Road dates back to the 1850s, and has most recently been used as a care home.

The building, which has 24 bedrooms, has been empty since September 2019, and is now the subject of a new planning application.

Submitted by Sutton Coldfield based Fox Hound Capital, the plans call for the building to be refurbished and converted into a hostel for homeless people.

The application says that if the scheme is approved, the hostel will likely be run by Concept Housing Association, a not for profit social housing provider, on behalf of Bradford Council.

The building is Grade II listed, and over the years has been used as a manor house and a convent, before being converted into a care home.

A more modern extension at the rear of the property, built when the property was converted to a convent, has been empty since the 1980s.

The application submitted to Bradford Council is for the change of use of the building, and due to its listed status an additional Listed Building Consent application will have to be submitted for any changes to the building.

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The application says: “Subject to the necessary consents and improvement of the building, the Housing Association intend to sign a 20-year lease and use it to provide temporary accommodation for homeless persons on behalf of City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.”

It says that some changes will be made to the building, and will be subject of a further application.

These include some replacement windows, the conversion of a staff room to create kitchens and works to mothball the long-term disused part of the building to “slow down its deterioration whilst its longer-term future is determined.”

The roof will also be repaired.

As well as 24 bedrooms, some of which are en suite, the hostel will have shared kitchens, toilets and bath room, a lounge, dining room and office area.

Last year Bradford Council adopted its new Homeless and Rough Sleeper Strategy for 2020 - 2025.

It set out how the Council would work with housing companies to help people find permanent homes. It was written and adopted before the Covid pandemic, but even before the national crisis there was rising numbers of homeless and rough sleepers.

In 2019 there were 9,434 approaches to the Council by people at risk of becoming homeless.

And there were thought to be at least 24 rough sleepers in the district when the document was drafted.

The number of people thought to be rough sleeping had doubled in just two years.

The report said efforts needed to be made to reduce the amount of people housed in temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts.

Telegraph & Argus readers regularly suggest the city’s empty buildings be used for housing the homeless, although many of these suggestions refer to buildings such as derelict mills - buildings which have few amenities such as working toilets, heating or kitchens.

The planning application for Carlton Manor adds: “The proposed use will not only bring the building back into use but is clearly compatible with its special interest and long-term conservation, as evidenced by the minimal alterations required.”

A decision on the application is expected next month.