CHANGING business needs and improving technology make it "inevitable" that a Bradford mill will need to be converted from offices to flats - according to a property developer.

Businesses becoming more "fussy" about where they are based, a focus on home working and the rise in powerful laptops and smartphones are all cited in a new planning application submitted to Bradford Council this week.

The application calls for St Andrews Mill on Legrams Lane, which is currently designated as business and office space, to be converted into 58 apartments.

An application to demolish a single storey extension tot he building and build a communal garden for the building was approved in 2019.

The application, submitted by Jade3 Architecture, says much of the office space in the building has been empty for months, and that it is "inevitable" that the building be converted into flats.

The units would range in size from 21 square metre studio flats to 65 square metre two-bedroom flats.

The application says: "Due to the continued harsh economic climate, the letting agents have difficulty in letting the small cellular offices with more and more spaces within the mill building are becoming vacant.

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"The upper floor tenants have now left and the space have been vacant for several months. Parts of the upper floors are now becoming increasingly difficult to let.

"Some parts of the building are offices use and the government have encouraged people to be working from home and as a result causing the units to become vacant. Therefore, the building is becoming vacant and if nothing positive is done, the building will eventually fall further into disrepair.

"Within the next 12 months, if nothing positive is done, then these commercial/office spaces are likely to become more vacant.

"In today’s challenging economic climate, but with state of the art modern technology for computers and cellphones, not many small or large footplate offices are required, especially slightly out of town even with car parking provisions.

"This will become more evident post Covid and the other issue is that these old mill buildings do not have modern facilities.

"Companies are getting very fussy and prefer to be located in business parks with easy access to motorways with state of the arts IT facilities and ample free car parking spaces.

"There is no longer a need for large office footplate offices as people are hot desking and meeting at hotel foyers and conferencing centres. With the aid of Skype, Wiichat, Whatsapps and emails available on cellphones are making businesses much more easily adaptable and accessible at one’s fingertips. The technology of powerful and compact laptops has contributed to the downfall of letting offices within or out of the town centres.

"Due to the continued dim economic, people are unable to put deposits down to secure mortgages for houses or apartments. The city living ethos are also changing as people are too busy rushing around and do not have time for gardening and opted for city centre apartments living. Most apartments living are for young persons or couples who needing a place or roof over their heads on a temporary short term basis. Because they spend most of the time working, they do not have the time to appreciate their living conditions."

The application adds: "The change of use from part vacant commercial/office use to residential apartments use is inevitable as there are no other use classes suitable for St Andrews Mill.

"If nothing is done, then the building will fall further into a state of disrepair."

A decision on the application is expected in late May.