A ROW of long derelict properties in a Bradford Conservation Area will soon be brought back into use.

Bradford Council has approved plans to turn Fairmount, a stretch of seven empty terraced houses off North Park Road and near Lister Park in Manningham, into a development of flats and studio flats.

The buildings, which date back to the 1850s, were previously a residential home. They were some of the first built in Manningham, and are from a time when Lister Park was a private estate.

The application, by Z Ali, was to turn the building into four self-contained flats and thirty two studio bedsits.

Although submitted to Bradford Council last July, the application was only approved by officers last week.

They said the re-use of the building was much needed, and that it had been a victim of vandalism, arson and “outbreaks of rot” in recent years.

Plans to turn the property into four flats and 51 bedsits were submitted and later withdrawn last year. Prior to that applications to convert the site into a restaurant and cafe, children’s nursery, and dental surgery have either been refused or withdrawn.

Home with cinema, spa and 'indoor garden' planned for former college building in Manningham

In 2017 Fahad Ali told the Telegraph & Argus that his family, which had owned the flats since the 1970s, had planned to convert the building into flats that would be “luxurious, and have Dubai-style touches.”

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

The latest application has been approved, and work to convert the buildings can now start.

When consulted on the plans, Bradford Council Heritage Office Jon Ackroyd said: “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.

“The proposed use is for a number of small bedsit rooms in the majority of the row of properties.

“Whilst this is not entirely consistent with the neighbouring properties, most of which are larger single private dwellings, the re-use of the premises would be beneficial.”

He said the works must retain trees on the site that make a “very significant contribution to conservation area character.”

There is parking space for 19 cars on the site.

Planning officers added: “Fairmount is sustainably located and easily accessible by public transport in the form of regular bus routes along Keighley Road, and is also close to local shops and services on Oak Lane. “The site layout remains as existing which provides off street parking for 19 vehicles. With on street parking also available within the vicinity the proposed development is considered unlikely to have any significant adverse impact on highway safety.

“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. The proposal can only be considered a positive for the building and wider conservation area and will ensure the effective management of the facility and on-going maintenance.