Plans have been approved to turn the upper floor of a former mill building into 22 apartments.

Birkby House in Bailiff Bridge is currently used for various commercial, retail and leisure uses, but the third floor is currently vacant offices.

Blackshaw Holdings wants to convert the top floor into apartments, creating an additional floor and associated car parking too.

It is hoped that the development, at the busy junction of Bradford Road and Birkby Lane, will prevent the building from falling into further disrepair

In a design and access statement by Martin Walsh Architectural, it states: "Re-purposing and renovating vacant floor space at this stage will ensure the building doesn't deteriorate and therefore doesn't become a risk in terms of safety of the existing building. Allowing the site to become occupied with new residents will breathe new life into this space.

"The conversion of the existing third floor will mainly affect the interior, with external alterations primarily consisting of new window openings. The additional floor will require the existing roof to be removed and a new structure built. There will also be a requirement to extend the existing stair core and lift shaft to the south of the site to accommodate a new passenger lift and additional stairs to the new floor. An entrance lobby will also be constructed to the south of the building."

The documents add: "The combination of the conversion and the new floor level will provide twenty-two high standard units of accommodation in Bailiff Bridge with easy walkable access to good transport links.

"The works will ensure the upper floor of Birkby House is put to a sustainable use for the foreseeable future."

The work would involve 12 two bed flats on the third floor and ten two-bed flats on the new fourth floor. Two of the apartments will be duplex.

A report by officers outlines how just one letter of objection was received, detailing concerns about pollution levels at peak times, and how would-be-residents would find it impossible to sleep at night with their windows open due to noise and fumes.

The fourth floor is considered to blend in with the existing building, and the increase in height is to be offset by its reduced footprint and setting back, allowing balconies for the apartments at this level.

Highways officers outlined how the site is well located in terms of access to local facilities such as public transport, schools and convenience food shopping. Therefore there was no objection in principle to the upper floors of the building being used for residential.

They added that the proposal to provide 30 dedicated car parking spaces, including two disabled bays, along with two motorcycle spaces, was acceptable for 22 apartments.

Highways also requested resident cycle parking, at least one space per apartment, be provided.

Vehicle access would be onto the A641 Bradford Road.