THE “momentum” for student housing in Bradford has slowed, according to the developer behind a proposed mill conversion.

A planning application to convert St Andrew’s Mill on Legrams Lane from offices into apartments has been submitted to Bradford Council.

The building has previously been mooted for student flats, but the new application says those plans were originally scrapped due to the recession in 2008.

It says that as time has now passed, there is no longer a demand for new developments of student flats in the city centre.

It is currently used as offices, but much of the space is empty. The application, by Iqbal Singh, calls for the building to be converted into 49 apartments with a concierge, media centre, gymnasium and communal garden.

The apartments will be a mix of two bed flats, one bed flats and studio apartments.

The application says the owners of the building have struggled to attract business tenants, and that the residential conversion “is needed to preserve the longevity of the mill building.”

A separate application, to demolish an attached single storey building to make space for the garden area, has also been submitted.

Previous plans for the site include creating over 500 student flats on the site.

But the new application says that the student flat market in Bradford is saturated, and that there is little chance this building could ever be a successful student development.

The application says: “Student housing had been previously submitted, but nothing had been done due to the recession during the 2008 period.

“Since then, the mill building remained part vacant and although the recession had recovered slightly to date, the momentum for the student housing has been over consumed. Although the site appeared to be quite near to the University and College the previous student housing proposals are still considered to be slightly further away than some student housing already being built since.

“Therefore the timing of the student housing to date would considered to be saturated by today’s standard.

“The city living ethos is becoming challenging due to the recent Brexit, where many building materials cost have soared making refurbishments unviable as well.

“However, our clients have done several projects in Bradford already and have a wealth of residential experience that will make a scheme financially viable.

“Basically within the next 6-12 months, if nothing is done, then these commercial/office spaces are likely to become more vacant.

“To do nothing will allow the mill building to fall further into disrepair. To do something different and positive by providing a residential apartment concept would benefit the local community.”

The site is located in an employment zone, where residential conversions would not normally be looked upon favourably. But the application says: “It is no good being within the employment zone and the commercial/office spaces continue to become vacant.”

A decision on the application is expected in March.