The proposed construction of Bradford's tallest building will show the city is on its way up, according to the developers.

A planning application to build a 17-storey "skyscraper" in historic Little Germany has now been submitted to Bradford Council.

The developer has lodged a glossy urban design statement submitted with a full planning application for the scheme this week entitled "If Only...".

The document describes the site of the former Shipley Paints location at Green Street as a "pivotal location" and outlines the need for a landmark building there.

The application has now been submitted to conservation watchdog English Heritage to be considered in the light of its effect on the former German wool merchants' quarter and its dozens of listed Victorian buildings.

The report from English Heritage will be considered when the Council's regulatory and appeals committee deals with the application for the proposed £25 million scheme.

People can see the application at Bradford area planning office at Jacobs Well, Manchester Road and have until August 5 to make representations.

A Council spokesman said no date had been set yet for the application to be heard.

But the president of Bradford Historical and Antiquarian Society John Allison has said he fears the site next to Little Germany may be inappropriate and people may not want a building which would dominate the city.

Details given for the first time in the full planning application of the development - which would be known as The Tower Haus - show a mainly sandstone building on a sloping site going up 17 storeys.

Its highest point would be a curved white corner tower with bay windows, deep window recesses and balconies.

It would include 180 one and two-bedroomed apartments with parking spaces and a private sheltered court yard.

The design statement from the Robinson Design Partnership and Asquith Properties says there is a "strong argument" for a tower feature with panoramic views across the city.

It adds: "The site occupies a pivotal location within Bradford as a gate way to the city centre and Little Germany and as a key landmark on the ring road."

Asquith managing director Russell Baker, pictured, previously told the Telegraph & Argus that the development "will be a skyscraper because I believe a city is judged on the size of its buildings like New York".

His company has converted the Grade II listed Broadgate House in Manor Row into 85 luxury apartments and is building a six storey state-of-the-art apartments complex nearby.

It also has a planning application waiting to be dealt with for a 14-storey natural stone apartments complex on the former car park in Manor Row.