PLANS to turn a former pub, which has more recently become a discount furniture store, into a restaurant have been approved.

The former Melbourne Hotel is based at the prominent junction of White Abbey Road and Wood Street in Manningham.

Late last year a planning application was submitted to Bradford Council by Olivia Gardens.

It called for the building, described as ‘dilapidated. to be converted from retail to a restaurant/cafe.

The application has been approved by planning officers this week.

It says the building’s former owners had “allowed the building to take a down turn in terms of appearance aesthetically and maintenance generally.”

It claims the plans will create “a thriving business with progressive business owners who will inject the investment needed to bring life back into the building and thereby the local area.”

Plan to turn Conservation Area building into restaurant approved

It adds: “In the current economic environment, an investment in a currently dilapidated building would be a welcome boost to the local economy.

"Our proposals will breathe new life into this building, with its new colour schemed elevations, replacement windows, ground floor bi-fold and canopy works improving not only the premises itself but also the street scene along White Abbey Road."

The business is expected to create around 10 full time jobs and seven part time jobs, as well as employing local tradesmen for the conversion.

Approving the scheme, planning officers said: "The proposed changes to this building are not considered to raise any significant issues for the built environment, retaining the buildings individual character and the majority of its original design features, having no significant impact on the character of the wider area."