THE upper floors of an empty town centre bank can be converted into flats after planners gave the scheme the green light.
The former Barclays building, on the corner of Otley Road and Kirkgate in Shipley, shut in 2021.
The ground floor of the grand banking hall is currently on the market, and earlier this Spring proposals to turn the upper floor into three flats were revealed by Abassi Property LTD.
The application to Bradford Council was for “prior approval” for the work rather than a full planning application.
National relaxations of planning rules in recent years mean developers do not need planning permission to convert empty office spaces in town centres.
Councils are able to block such developments, but only if they raise serious highways or environmental health concerns.
Officers approved the development on the condition that acoustic measures be put in place before any of the flats are occupied.
Despite its grand stone work, the late 19th Century building is not listed.
The ground floor and basement of the property are currently on the market to let, with an annual rent of £22,500.
The property is being marketed as retail and office space.
An application to reinstate a blocked-off doorway on the Otley Road side of the building has also recently been submitted to Bradford Council.
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