STUDENT flats in Bradford city centre could be marketed to non-students if plans by a developer are approved.

Plans to convert Lennon House, a Grade II listed property at 149-151 Sunbridge Road, into student flats were approved by Bradford Council in 2015.

But Miller Knight Developments has now submitted new plans to Bradford Council seeking permission to allow the flats to now be marketed to non-students, arguing the previously approved plans are too “restrictive.”

The application argues there has been a “decline in student numbers” in the city, and claims more accommodation will be needed for Bradford’s year as City of Culture.

Floor layouts included in the planning application show that some of the studio flats in the development measure just 16.8 square metres.

Current  space standards for UK homes require studio flats to have a minimum of 37 square metres of space.

The application says: “The sole use for students is a restrictive description and the application seeks to remove the sole use for students given the current decline in student numbers and the prospect of increased visitor numbers to the city in 2025.”

A decision on the application is expected in the coming weeks.