A GRADE II-listed building in Bradford which has been deemed “at-risk” by Historic England for almost two decades could be set to benefit from a million-pound plus restoration project.

Whiterose Apartments, based in Horsforth, has unveiled its plans to try and secure the future of the Leaventhorpe estate, off Thornton Road in Thornton, some aspects of which date back to the 17th century.

Repairs to save Leaventhorpe Hall and the site’s North Barn have provisionally been costed at £1.3m, funding for which would come in part from the building of 22 new family homes on the estate.

The plans, which have now been formally submitted to Bradford Council, would see a total of 32 properties being built or restored on the site.

Leaventhorpe Hall itself would be converted back into two dwellings, the North Barn would be turned into four apartments, and the East Barn, currently in a state of disrepair, would be demolished and rebuilt to create another four houses.

Enabling development works - defined as development deemed unacceptable in planning terms but for the fact it would bring public benefits sufficient to justify it being carried out - would see a further 22 new homes built on land currently in use as an equestrian centre.

Planning permission for a similar scheme was granted in 2006, but work was never completed.

A design statement submitted as part of the plans states: “Our client is committed to the restoration and redevelopment of the Leaventhorpe Hall Estate and has not only invested in this application but also provided funding for temporary works to be undertaken at the site to avoid any further dilapidation.

“Funding the scheme through the use or proportional enabling works is the last resort for any development scheme and is contrary to both local and national policy, but due to the level of dilapidation at the site and the limited amount of available funding subsidies, it has been demonstrated there is no other option but to pursue this method.

“The enabling works will have an impact on the heritage assets and the green belt, but on balance we believe the proposed benefits to the public in the restoration of the site outweigh these impacts.”

Haydn Jones, director of Architecture One Eight Ltd, acting as agents in the project, said Whiterose had bought the site in August last year and developed the plans in consultation with Historic England and the Council.

He said the main focus of the plans had been to save the hall, a process which would be rendered “impossible” without the enabling work and new homes on the equestrian site.

He said the new properties would be “family homes” ranging from three to five bedrooms, and said that should planning permission be granted, the first stage of work would be the renovation of the North Barn.

Elizabeth Lewis, inspector of historic buildings and areas at Historic England, said the organisation was fully supportive of a “sensitive” restoration of the site.

“The estate has been on our at-risk register since 1999,” she said.

“We very much welcome the proposed refurbishment and plans to bring the buildings back into use.”

The Council is set to make a decision on the plans by November 20.