AN unused Bradford College building could soon be demolished to make way for a shop, dentist and low cost flats and stop it becoming a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The former Art School building, Junction Mill, on Thornton Road has been empty for seven years.

But now the College and Health and Extra Care Solutions has submitted a joint application for the total re-development of the site, which would include 26 affordable one and two bed flats, likely to be managed by a social landlord.

Bradford College Group Chief Executive Officer Andy Welsh said: "Bradford College is excited to see the submission of this planning application as it will deliver a facility for the city of Bradford that chimes with the needs of a growing population and will help meet the health needs of the future.

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"It allows for opportunities for students on College courses, e.g. Dental Nursing, to benefit from a state of the art investment through collaborative working."

The application, which is being considered by Bradford Council, says that the ground floor dental suite could be used for training purposes by college students, meaning the development would still retain some link to the nearby college.

The building is a former spinning mill dating back to the early 20th century and backs onto Bradford Beck.

It also lies in the Goitside Conservation area, although the applicants said the area would not be particularly harmed by the building's demolition and replacement.

The application says: "Junction Mill is currently vacant and has been identified as surplus to requirements by Bradford College. The building has been vacant for a number of years and currently makes a limited contribution to the streetscene.

"It is considered that the demolition of the building and replacement with a building of similar scale and massing will have a positive impact on Thornton Road and the Goitside Conservation Area.

"The redevelopment of this site will also reduce the risks/problems associated with vacant buildings including crime, anti-social behaviour, disrepair, which are detrimental to the streetscene."

Although an operator of the 401 square metre store has not yet been specified, the application says it will likely be a convenience store providing "day to day groceries" for the local student population.

Originally the plan was for the housing to be for elderly people, but initial discussions with the Council led to these plans being scrapped in favour of regular affordable housing, as the site falls in the city's Higher Education Campus Zone.

A decision on the application will be made in June.