PLANS to build a new ten-storey high rise apartment scheme, wedding venue and conference facility at a key gateway to the city have been unveiled.

The project, by Jersey-based developer Betra, would see two tower blocks built on an old car park off Trafalgar Street, Bradford, near the junction of Manningham Lane and Hamm Strasse,

These would contain a wedding banqueting and functions centre aimed at the Muslim community, with 81 flats above.

There would also be a 22-space multi-storey car park and a public outside seating area.

Leeds-based architects Loroc has sent council planners a description of the scheme.

This says: "The proposed development has been envisaged to provide a new quality gateway building to the city of Bradford."

The statement says the city has been "further enhanced by recent developments which will inevitably bring new visitors to the city from other areas of the country".

It adds: "The importance and quality of the development will be expressed through the quality of contemporary materials to reflect the forward-looking nature of the development and the city to promote investment both from within the UK and abroad.

"The proposals will comprise of undercroft car parking, a Muslim wedding banqueting and functions centre and apartments above, based in two independent blocks to phase the scheme, complete with pedestrian access through the site as part of a public realm area."

This public realm area "will consist of congregational seating and soft landscaping together with active areas for al-fresco dining", it says.

The developer is hoping to secure outline planning permission for the scheme first, with further design details, such as the materials to be used, to be discussed at a later stage.

The vacant plot of land previously had planning permission for a total of 362 apartments, although that scheme failed to materialise.

Sailbridge Developments was granted permission in 2008 for the project, which would have been split over three buildings.

This included a 14-storey tower, 164 studio apartments, 109 one-bed and 89 two-bed apartments, shops, cafes, offices and leisure units.

These plans were submitted again in 2012, when they were due to expire.

At the time, planning officers said the move was designed purely to "keep the planning permission alive" and admitted that particular scheme was unlikely to materialise.