PLANS to transform a row of 19th century terraced houses into new ‘Dubai style’ apartments have been resubmitted.

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to convert the site into a restaurant and cafe, children’s nursery, and dental surgery have either been refused or withdrawn in recent years.

When the plans were first submitted late last year, Fahad Ali, whose family has owned the site since the late 1970s, said the application could create a “real community” on the street.

Mr Ali said they were looking to create “Dubai and London style apartments’, bringing luxury to Bradford at an “affordable price”.

But Jon Ackroyd, Conservation Officer for Bradford Council was critical of the plans.

He wrote: “Fairmount is identified as a key unlisted building in North Park Road conservation area, with the open space fronting the properties being key open space significant to both the setting of the buildings and the wider conservation area character.

“Fairmount has been disused for several years and in that time has been allowed to fall into serious disrepair, the buildings being affected by several fires, vandalism and outbreaks of rot resulting from damage to the roof and rainwater goods. Some renovation work has taken place but an appropriate new use is needed.”

He added: “The proposed use is for intensive small bedsit rooms in the majority of the row of properties. This does not appear consistent with the neighbouring properties, most of which are larger single private dwellings, and could present issues in terms of effective management of the facility and for future maintenance.”

He also raised concerns about proposed changes to windows and the impact these would have.

The first application was withdrawn, but has now been resubmitted with the number of studio bedsit rooms reduced from 51 to 35.

A heritage statement submitted on behalf of the applicant states: “There will be no external alterations to the properties as we are keen to keep the original appearance intact.

“All alterations are internal and as minimal as possible.

“The properties will be fully reinstated with timber matching windows to comply with conservation requirements.

“Likewise the site frontage will be restored and the grassed gardens put back to their former glory and the parking spaces restored.”

It also says: “The windows have been carefully designed to reflect the current design and appearance. There will be no impact to the heritage setting of the building as visually the new windows will not look very much different from the existing ones, but will enhance the building’s appearance to give it a fresh look and will provide the building maintenance free for many years.”