PLANS to transform a derelict building in the city centre into new high-end apartments have been submitted to Bradford Council.

The application would see the warehouse, which has fallen into disrepair, converted to form ten apartments with the ground floor and basement retained to be used for retail, as well as other changes to modernise and improve the appearance of the old building.

The property is located in Thornton Road, opposite the junction with Tumbling Hill Street and facing the Arkwright House student accommodation.

In the application, by Ask Properties Derby, it states that “luxury apartments” will be created in the building, with four one-bedroom apartments on the first floor and the same layout on the second floor.

It states the third floor would be reconstructed to create dormers with partial balconies, which will create space for two “penthouse suites”, one a one-bed and the other a two-bed, complete with entertainment/games room areas and hot tubs on the balconies.

The building sits in the city centre and Goitside Conservation Areas, preserving the city’s earliest industrial quarter.

The plans say the area has suffered from a “certain air of neglect”, which buildings “characterised by broken and boarded up windows and doors, rotting timber-work and in severe cases loss of roofing materials”.

The building in question has missing roof tiles, areas of damp, rotten woodwork and cracked walls, as well as charred wood in the roof area signifying a fire previously, meaning the full roof will need to be replaced and strengthening work done to the walls.

It says “full repair and renovation” is needed including repointing and new windows, flooring and stairs to bring the it back to a liveable standard.

The changes to the building’s appearance, it says, will improve the look of it and Thornton Road as a whole, as well as providing housing in a building that previously stood vacant.

It adds the development would “provide a high quality development that would contribute positively to the street scene”.

A bat survey was required at the site and while it is not used to roost by bats, it is frequented by common pipistrelle bats for foraging and commuting purposes, but no compulsory changes need to be made to accommodate the creatures.

The site has no off-street parking or space for bike parking, which the plans say is due to its “very good public transport links and pedestrian routes”, and also because it will attract “students, young couples or single elderly tenants” who don’t own private cars.