PLANS to bring new life to a "dilapidated" Conservation Area building in Bradford have been approved.

128 Thornton Road dates back to the early 20th Century, and its ground floor has most recently been used as a carpet warehouse.

Last year a planning application to turn the upper floors of the building into eight flats was submitted to Bradford Council.

And the plans also called for the refurbishment of the large ground floor retail space.

The application has now been approved by Bradford Council, with officers saying the work will "allow the upkeep and maintenance of a key building" in the city centre.

The building lies within the Goitside Conservation Area, the city's earliest industrial quarter which is now protected as a key part of Bradford's heritage.

Plan to build cafe on Thornton Road site is refused

However, many of the area's buildings lie vacant and this application, submitted by Ask Properties Derby, said the area has suffered from a “certain air of neglect."

It adds: "buildings are characterised by broken and boarded up windows and doors, rotting timber-work and in severe cases loss of roofing materials."

The warehouse 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.

The flats in the proposed development include two, two bed flats, two one-bed flats, two studio flats and two penthouse apartments that include snooker/games room.

Approving the application earlier this month, planning officers at Bradford Council said: "The proposal is desirable as it utilises an unused building which is currently in a dilapidated state.

"The proposal will allow the upkeep and maintenance of a key building within the Goitside Conservation Area.

"The accommodation provided is adequate to provide modern standard of living for each flat.

"The City Park and the other attractions of the city centre are also only a short distance away either by foot or public transport."

Last year a planning application to open a cafe and car park on a vacant plot of land next to the warehouse was refused by the Council, with officers saying the plan was "out of keeping" with Thornton Road and could "impede the proper regeneration and development of the site."

However, despite this refusal, a cafe called Chai Village appears to have been built on the site.