DEVELOPERS say they want to help “bring the richness” back to Manningham by converting a row of 19th century terraced houses into new ‘Dubai-style’ apartments.

Fahad Ali said his family, which has owned the site since the late 1970s, had now submitted plans to Bradford Council to turn the six properties on Fairmount into “luxury” apartments.

The houses, situated off North Park Road and opposite Lister Park and Cartwright Hall, were formerly Fairmount Gardens Residential Home until its closure in 2006.

Applications to convert the site into a restaurant and cafe, children’s nursery, and dental surgery have either been refused or withdrawn in recent years.

But Mr Ali said the current application for around 65 units, if approved, could help create a “real community” on the street.

He said: “We are looking to create Dubai and London style apartments, using local developers. We want to give back to local businesses and we think this project could involve between ten and 20 staff.

“The flats will be furnished, luxurious, and have Dubai-style touches like a marble effect.

“We are trying to bring that luxury to Bradford at an affordable price.

“This building has been derelict for a long time, so it has to come back with a boom. We want to be part of bringing the richness back to Manningham.

“We want to create a little community here, with a hotel-style that will attract professionals such as doctors and lawyers.”

The houses are said to date back to the 1850s, and Mr Ali said that converting the properties into a mixture of studio and one-bedroom flats across four floors would cost “close to a million pounds.”

He said: “We submitted the plans at the beginning of November.

“If we get the go-ahead, we’ll be getting straight on with the work.

“We could hopefully get it done in around a year.”

Mr Ali said that another element of the project included a transformation of the communal grounds at the front of the houses, which could see the installation of features such as dancing fountains and six-feet high hedges, alongside services for residents such as private parking and a 24-hour concierge service.

He said: “If you look at where we are, opposite Cartwright Hall and Lister Park, it really is an ideal location.

“We hope that this project would really bring the area back to life.”

Renovation work has been ongoing in recent years to keep the site secure, including replacing numerous boarded-up windows and sections of the roof.