A FORMER Bradford school will be restored to its original use as a grand Victorian mansion after a property developer was given permission to convert the Grade II listed building.

Lady Royd House, near Bradford Royal Infirmary, was built in 1865 by Bradford architects Milnes and France for textile magnate Henry Williamson. In the 1920s Bradford Girls Grammar School bought the building to use as a preparatory school. The building ceased its use as a school several years ago, and was put up for sale in 2009.

It was designated as a Grade II listed building in 2008.

This week Bradford Council granted Jerry Malik planning permission to convert the neglected building into a "single family dwelling," retaining the building's grand features such as ornate fireplaces, plasterwork on the ceilings and panelled doors.

Recent additions and extensions to the building, including a nursery building, will be removed and replaced with more sympathetic extensions.

The building is off Squire Lane, and sits between Bradford Girls' Grammar School and Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Once restored, the building will have a television room, library, large ballroom extension, 13 bedrooms, male and female receptions, a four bedroom guest suite and extensive gardens.

The application says: "The existing grounds and Lady Royd House have fallen into a state of recent neglect, with the buildings in need of refurbishment and the landscape requiring maintenance and a management strategy going forward.

"Refurbishment of the existing building will regenerate a significant heritage asset within Bradford and re-instate this Grade II Listed building back to its original function as a single dwelling.

"The interiors retains much of its original floor plan, and has original door cases with decorative moulding, original panelled doors and a variety of original door furniture, elegant moulded plasterwork to the ceilings and cornices in all the principle rooms."

Approving the application, planning officers said the change of use would "serve to allow the longer term survival of the building."

English Heritage had described the building as a "very good example of a substantial mid-Victorian detached house. It displays high levels of individual craftsmanship with the use of high quality materials."

The T&A was unable to contact Mr Malik before going to press.