THE upper floors of an “imposing” city centre building can be converted into flats – planners have agreed.

An application to turn the upper four storeys of a building at the corner of Westgate and Kirkgate into 20 flats was approved by Bradford Council in 2022.

But last year applicant Westgate House BFD Ltd applied to amend these plans, and add another four flats to the development.

They argued a number of factors, from the war in Ukraine to the economic fallout of Brexit, had made the initial plans unviable – and extra flats were needed to allow the developers to make a profit on the scheme.

The floors that will be converted are currently vacant office space.

The building lies within a Conservation Area, but despite its grand appearance it is not listed.

Planners described the property as "an imposing building dating from the late 19th century."

Conservation officers pointed out that no external works were planned as part of the development, and so it would not harm the Conservation Area.

The plans have now been approved.