PLANS to turn a “sprawling” former manor house into accommodation for the District’s homeless has been approved by Bradford Council.

Late last year social housing provider Concept Housing revealed plans to convert Carlton Manor on Parkfield Road, Manningham, into a hostel for the homeless.

The building, which is Grade II listed and dates back to the 1870s, is in the St Paul’s Conservation Area of the city.

It has most recently been used as a care home for young adults with physical disabilities, but has been empty since 2019 - steadily deteriorating since then.

A planning application for the scheme has now been approved by Bradford Council.

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.

It will be run by Concept Housing on behalf of Bradford Council, and will provide health and housing related service to the homeless, as well as accommodation.

£3.3 million shelter for the homeless is declared open in Bradford

Over the years the building 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 became a convent, has been empty since the 1980s.

The application said this area of the building would be mothballed to “slow down its deterioration whilst its longer-term future is determined.”

Approving the scheme, planning officers said: “The building has a significant character, despite an apparent deterioration in its condition and upkeep.

“The proposal to change the use to a hostel for the homeless remains within the spectrum of residential uses and as such is also as such deemed a suitable use that will sit comfortably in this setting.

“It is also apparent from the very nature of the application that it will be a valuable community asset going forward meeting a highlighted needed within the district.

“It also weighs in favour of the proposal that this would facilitate bringing the property back into use. It has clearly had a period of un-occupancy and a continued lack of use would lead to further deterioration in its condition.

“A section of the building is already excluded from initial use as a result of its condition.

“It would be expected that works to the property to facilitate the re-use would be respectful of the buildings listed status and presence within a conservation 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.

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “Homelessness is a complex and enduring national issue so we welcome this additional facility which will help local people.

“The new set-up will offer temporary accommodation along with health and housing-related services.

“We will work with Concept to ensure local people are well supported.”

In 2017 Bradford Council opened Clergy House, a £3.3 million homeless housing scheme near Bradford Cathedral.