HALLMARK cards has been given the go ahead to convert its Tong base to allow 300 extra staff to move to the site.

The company announced last year it would be consolidating its Bradford operations onto one site, moving its head office from Bingley Road to its former printing site at Dawson Lane, which remains Hallmark's main distribution centre.

Bradford Council has now approved plans to create mezzanine floors and convert warehouse areas of the office to create space for the re-located staff.

There are currently around 183 staff at the site, but this will increase to 483 once the changes have been implemented.

Planning officers pointed out that even with the extra staff, there will not be as many workers using the site as when it was at its peak in 2001 when there were 350 staff and 1,100 shift staff at the building.

They added: "Whilst the proposal will result in the intensification of use of the site through an increase in the number of employees, it will be significantly less than the numbers previously employed on the site.

"It is likely that the adjacent residents will notice the likely increase in traffic visiting the site but it is not considered that the changes will have a significant impact on the residential amenities of the occupiers of those dwellings."