A FORMER care home building could more than double in size of plans to convert it into flats and build a new apartment building are granted by Bradford Council.

The Mount nursing home, which currently stands vacant on the corner of Lister Lane and Bolton Road in Bolton, could be turned into 26 apartments.

The application, if successful, would also see an additional block of flats built on the property to provide a further 28 apartments.

Built in 1864, the building was used as a nursing home for a number of years, but currently is in a state of disrepair, suffering from vandalism and weather damage.

Leeds-based Priestley Homes, which has submitted the application, said the conversion work on the existing building would have “minimal impact on the appearance of the building”, and the new building would be similar to the existing one.

Car parking space would be provided for 27 vehicles, including two disabled bays, and a bicycle store would also be created with space for 52 bikes.

Grassed areas would also be created, and a recycling store would be built close to the bicycle store.

The development would be made up of 32 bedsits, 12 one-bedroom flats, and ten two-bedroom flats, all to be sold or rented on the normal housing market.

Newly-elected Councillor Ian Greenwood (Labour, Bolton & Undercliffe) said: “I will be consulting with local people to determine what the local view is.

“It’s not immediately obvious who would want them and who the target market is, but we have to talk to local people first.

“Of course you don’t want old buildings sat there empty because it becomes a target for vandalism and makes the area look rundown, so it is important to bring them back into use but it has to be a use that is acceptable for the area and for the local community.”

Shonu Miah, a senior environmental health officer at Bradford Council, also commented on the plans.

He said: “Having looked at the plans it appears that there may be issues with some of the flat layouts as they do not appears to be conducive to safe means of escape in case of a fire.

“In addition the layout also may present problems with natural lighting to the living/sleeping areas of the flats.

“Further consultation with Bradford Council Housing Standards Teams is suggested.”

Education consultee Nina Mewse said the nature of the flats, being predominantly bedsits and one-bedroom flats, means the development is unlikely to put any stress on nearby primary or secondary schools.

Public consultation is open until Friday, July 6, and to submit your views on the plan, visit the Council’s planning website or write to the Planning Service at Britannia House, Hall Ings, BD1 1HX, quoting planning reference 18/01778/MAF.