A FORMER city centre nightclub can be converted into flats after new residential plans were approved by Bradford Council.

6-8 Sackville Street is currently empty, but was most recently home to a popular nightclub called Krizma.

The building, painted in black, has been empty since Bradford Council revoked the club’s licence last year.

Police had told a licensing committee there had been numerous violent incidents in and around the venue, and that they were “not satisfied” the club’s then licence holder could prevent further criminal incidents at the venue.

This Spring a planning application to convert the empty building into five flats was submitted to Bradford Council by Krusor Estates Ltd.

The accommodation would be a mix of four one bed and one two bed flats over two floors.

There had been no objections to the plans.

Approving the work this week, planning officers said: “Although the site is located within a central shopping area, the previous use was not retail with the proposal to re-use the vacant building in a viable way rather than the units/building remaining empty and vacant and continue to have a neglected appearance.

“The re-use of the properties should be encouraged. Although a retail use might be an appropriate use for the premises, the proposed change of use will provide residential accommodation with this change of use considered to be acceptable given that this part of the city centre contains a varied mix of residential, retail and commercial premises with residential apartments located at the other end of Sackville Street and within the wider area.

“The proposal could also enhance the appearance of the building and have a more positive contribution to the appearance and character of the city centre conservation area in which the site/building is situated.

“As the building in within the city centre some noise to the proposed occupants will be excepted, however, the building is set away from the main highstreets.

“The change of use of the building to residential apartments is not considered to be detrimental to the adjoining premises as the proposed residential use will not result in noise, odours or antisocial behaviour which will detrimentally affect the amenity of any adjacent premises or their occupants.

“The proposed development will provide an adequate standard of living for the future occupants and will enable a vacant building within the city centre to be reused.”