A LONG empty mill building in a conservation area of Bradford could soon be converted into flats and a shop.

Plans have been submitted by Dr Ahmad Al-Sammari to refurbish the five storey Holmefield buildings at 112 Thornton Road into 10 one and two bedroom apartments and a retail unit. The building, in the Goitside Conservation Area, has been empty for over a decade.

The application says the area has "probably the greatest number of vacant buildings in the city centre" and describes it as "being in a state of decline for the last 40 years." It adds: "The proposed works provide an opportunity to bring a redundant building within the Goitside Conservation Area back into active use. The building has an important part to play in the regeneration of the streetscape and this

scheme aims to deliver that objective."

The shop will create two full time and two part time jobs, and Dr Al-Sammari has asked for opening hours of between 7am and 11pm.