A NEW art gallery could open in the heart of Thornton village if plans are given the go-ahead. 

A proposal has been lodged with Bradford Council for the Grade II-listed property on Market Street, which currently has a residential use. 

The application has been submitted by printmaker Patrick Whitehead. 

"Historically, the property has been a business with living accommodation and in the Victorian times operated as an apothecary," he says in the application. 

"The house has been modernised and updated by the previous owners and the front of the premises has been divided into two rooms with an adjoining bathroom/utility room.

"It’s my intention to retain the current layout internally as I do not want or need any building work to take place.

"The submitted plans show I would use both rooms as an art gallery to display my prints with Gallery 1 also being my studio where customers can see exactly what printmaking entails.

"The front of the building has two large display windows which I would use to display my framed prints which would change on a regular basis, especially as I complete new work."

He adds: "I can confirm that there will be no physical change to the rooms.

"The exterior – which faces onto Market Street has been painted Viridian Green with cream detail and sills.

"I will not be making any physical changes to the facade. I require permission only to have signage on the fascia above the windows with my proposed name for the gallery which will be 'The Apothecary Gallery'.

"This will be in gold Victorian script to reflect the age and period of the building and sympathetic to its Grade II-listed status as well as being in a Conservation Area.

"The proposed name reflects the premises earlier incarnation in Victorian times as an apothecary."

Mr Whitehead adds: "My proposed Art Gallery would enhance the visual and aesthetic quality of Market Street as well as complementing the other businesses that already exist on the street and would encourage further interest to the street and, I would hope, and contribute to the life and interest within the thriving Thornton community."

He says he does not feel the proposal will affect parking or traffic and adds: "I anticipate my proposal being an asset to the village of Thornton as I will be putting the property back to commercial use for which it was originally intended as well as maintaining the frontage to a high standard."