PLANS to convert a derelict former care home in Shipley into flats have been backed by one of the town’s councillors.

An application has been submitted to Bradford Council to turn Fairmount Lodge Nursing Home in Otley Road into 18 one bedroom and six two bedroom flats

The building, which dates back to the early 1900s, closed as a care home in 2007 and has been empty ever since.

It has fallen into disrepair and the site is boarded up with metal fencing.

A pre-application inquiry was made by applicants, Castle Residential Properties, also based in Otley Road, Shipley, and although some issues regarding the design of an extension were found, the principle of the scheme was agreed.

The proposal will also include ten car park spaces and the site is split level, being two-storey to the front and three-storey to the back, with an additional room in its roof space.

Councillor Hawarun Hussain (Green, Shipley) said she supported the plans, adding it was good that a long-term derelict building in the town was being put back into use.

He said: “It is a positive move. It is fantastic.

“It is fabulous that it brings a derelict building back into use. I see that as a positive thing.

“With it being on the main road, it will have an impact on the air that people breath.

“I hope that they develop it sensitively.

“It is a lovely old building but I am concerned about the number of car park spaces, which could be an issue. Bradford has stacks of flats that are empty so that is a worry too.

“Shipley has a bit more of a transient population, so flats like these could work here. It is working well in areas like Victoria Mills.”

Applicant Zamir Hussain, managing director of Castle Residential Properties, said other developers may follow and convert other derelict buildings in Shipley.

He said: “We looked at this property closely and saw the potential for developing.

“There are other buildings in Shipley that need to be restored.

“I think once we do this, others will follow and these buildings can be restored.

“If everything goes well, we will be getting a decision in November time and we will start in February next year. We would hope to be finished by Easter 2019.”